Communications minister Siphive Nyanda explains how his department will take a leading role in the promotion of converged solutions to ensure all citizens have access.

 

Novel challenges

Convergence presents a novel challenge for government. As the most powerful driving force in communication today, it is changing the way business is done and raising consumers’ expectations. Traditional operators’ ways of providing services are being challenged. Boundaries are increasingly becoming blurred and irrelevant.

The Department of Communications believes there is evidence of the benefits of convergence and that it is clear that it is here to stay. Globally, the quest for triple-play services has increased and locally the demands are not different. The phenomenon of demand for voice, video, data and mobility continues to grow, and today there is an increasing need for everything over IP.

Government’s role

While operators are being challenged, government also needs to take its place in the sun. Operators need to increase innovation and development and government has called on them to play a key role in the rapid growth and adoption of converged solutions. However, if the effects of converged communications are to be widespread, government needs to take a leading role in their promotion.

One of the main concerns for government over the next five years is to ensure that ICTs are accessible to the majority of the population of the country. Past efforts are to be commended, but new trends mean demands from citizens have become more complex. The challenge is not purely about quantity and reaching the masses, but also making sure government provides access to ICTs, which are affordable, and of high quality.

Development goals

For the Department of Communications, ignoring the realities facing the country is not option. We will not ignore divisions in society that clearly demarcate the rich from the poor, restricting citizens access to what should be a basic service. In the department’s vision, ICTs are the facilitator and the catalyst for growth, spurring on the blurring of existing divisions and inequalities.

Whatever policies are adopted and any initiatives that are implemented would have to take into account the developmental aspects of the country. The department remains cognisant of its critical role that will spur South Africa into the ranks of some of the developed countries in the world. Whatever developments happen, they will happen with the goal of ensuring that among other things, ICTs change the quality of people’s lives and are tools of transformation and development.

The department has highlighted the role of convergence as an enabler in its vast and unenviable developmental goals. Policies will be aligned as to impact significantly on development goals of the economy. The department will promote a policy framework consisting of with open markets, competition and public-private partnerships. All state institutions would have to ensure that any initiatives are aligned for the benefit of all stakeholders, especially citizens.

Putting citizens first

As IP networks become key, restrictions caused by the current limitations of telecommunications infrastructure would no longer become a problem. The country cannot claim to have real broadband.

Electronic communication and network services are still unaffordable for large portions of our society. Penetration levels are still very low and access is still a major concern. Broadband is a powerful tool of the future and networks are necessary to meet our vision for every citizen is met.

Government needs to involve itself through effective policies and impact significantly on the spread of broadband in a manner that puts the citizens first. The focus will be on encouraging liberalisation to effect competition and ensure markets and industry operates optimally and efficiently. The department will liberalise telecommunication markets, following its belief that increased competition is necessary for effective and efficient converged solutions.

Addressing challenges

Changes will be made to keep up with the demands of consumers and new technologies. The rise of VOIP has provided a sneak preview of the impact and benefits of real convergence. But all these advances have brought new challenges. While the changes which converged solutions introduced are welcome, there are also challenges which government and business will be required to address.

The process of increasing competition in broadband through policy directives has already kicked off. We have already begun with the process of getting more players onto the playing field. The fact of the convergence has resulted in a decline in the importance of fixed line network and the growing importance of the mobile networks and that is why these entities themselves. There is no distinction now. We are quickly moving towards a situation where there is a blurring line on who provides fixed line services and who provides mobile services and this needs to be carefully monitored.

The country is currently in the process of switching from the obsolete analogue broadcasting system to a new digital format that will allow a greater number of channels and more efficient use of spectrum. The advantages of the digital migration process far outweigh the estimated cost of the technology. With access to more channels and direct access to government services and information, citizens can begin to benefit from some of the developments the changing telecommunications environment is ushering in.

Driving convergence

Government is leading this process and driving convergence, but for it to be successful there needs to be a focus on providing simplicity for the customer. The complexities of the process need to be negotiated, added investments will be required and the process will take time.

There needs to be standardisation across all industries and technologies to facilitate the growth of converged services. This continues to be challenging process, which requires government’s input and which no one can claim to have mastered. Government will continue to play a key role in the successful adoption of converged solutions and implement any changes to ensure convergence achieves what it sets out to do.

Discussions between government, business and regulators will continue. Future trends dictate that government must be prepared for the imminent changes. The department will continue to apply itself to the changes and ensure it can effectively deal with the challenges brought on by convergence.

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