National ICT policy under spotlight at colloquim

The Department of Communications will be hosting a National ICT Policy Colloquium on 19 and 20 April at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Gauteng. The aim of the colloquium is to start a process of reviewing all the government ICT policies that have been in existence since 1994.

The colloquium will also be a platform for all role players to collectively develop policies that will build a world class and competitive ICT industry in South Africa which will create employment opportunities and increase access to ICT services as well as universal access and to boost the country's technology capabilities, research, development and innovation.

First policy review since 1994

The two day colloquium boasts ten commissions chaired by ICT sector experts. "It is the first time that the department is having a policy review of this magnitude since 1994, when the South African government adopted White Papers on Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Postal Policies," said Dina Pule, Minister of Communications.

These policies were given effect by the passing of the Telecommunications Act in 1996, Postal Services Act in 1998, and the Broadcasting Act of 1999. Government enacted the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act in 2002. "This forum will enable us to converse about how we can develop ICT policies that will benefit South Africa for the next 20 years," she said. The recommendations and decisions that will come out of this colloquium will form a key component into the policy and development process for an integrated National ICT Policy.