10GB data for every household, says communications minister Ntshavheni

Communications minister Khumbudzo Ntshavhen

The minister did not say when this should happen but said that data has become a new utility like water and electricity that homes need.

“At some point, South Africa will say despite whether you are rich or poor, whether you are employed or unemployed, every household should have access to 10GB per month without failure because that’s what this government will deliver.”

She then also said that the communications and digital technologies department is working on a policy dealing with the allocation of radio frequency spectrum for 5G services and that, as part of this, government intends to prescribe minimum data to the home.

The minister further mentioned that the department is working on policies for both sixth- and seventh-generation mobile technologies, which are non-existent at the moment.

Spectrum licensing

Ntshavheni said the following on the on-going spectrum licensing saga:

“The licensing of high-frequency spectrum will improve the ability of mobile communications operators to build robust telecommunications with better penetration and reach, the licensing process will place additional obligations on operators to deploy infrastructure to schools, hospitals, clinics and the offices of traditional leaders.

“Through Icasa, we have set social services obligations to connect within 36 months of licensing of the spectrum all outstanding public schools, all 18,520, as indicated by basic education minister Angie]Motshekga, public health facilities, which includes clinics and public hospitals, 5,731 of them, and offices of traditional leaders or leaders authorities, 8,241 of them.

“The extension of broadband to traditional authorities is part of government’s commitment to strengthen the role of traditional leaders as service delivery centres of government.

“In the past, we have seen the telecommunications operators ignoring social obligations and opting to pay negligible penalties instead of connecting our people.

“This time around industry regulator Icasa will include the fulfilment of service obligations as part of the licensing conditions without an option of a penalty.”