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35th Annual Conference Windhoek, Namibia

22 – 24 April 2014

ICTs for the Benefit of All Transforming our Society through Broadband and ICTs Developments

Chief Executive Officers

ANNOTATED AGENDA

24th April 2015

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SATA 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the prior written permission of SATA.

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Members

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1. NEW PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES FROM MATTERS ARISING FROM THE 34TH

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

POLICY ISSUES

1.1 PARTICIPATION BY MEMBERS IN SATA PROGRAMMES

NOTED 1:

SATA represents the “voice” of the operators and service providers in the industry.

NOTED 2:

Members are the “Ambassadors” and “Connectors” of SATA in the industry. NOTED 3:

SATA incorporates the crucial "6R" qualities into the meetings and activities to keep people involved and contributing to the organization. These include:

• Recognition - People want to be recognized for their contributions.

• Respect - People want their values, culture, ideas, and time to be respected and considered in the organization's activities.

• Role - People want a clearly meaningful role in the coalition that makes them feel valuable and in which they can make a contribution.

• Relationships - People want the opportunity to establish and build networks both professionally and personally for greater influence and enjoyment.

• Reward - People expect the rewards of participating in a collaborative partnership to outweigh the costs and to benefit from the relationships established.

• Results - People respond to visible results that are clearly linked to outcomes that are important to them and that they can clearly link to their participation in the coalition.

NOTED 4:

It is encouraging to note that many members, partners and the industry participated during SATA events throughout the year

RECOMMENDATION 1:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA Members to continue their collaboration and support of the regional work of SATA and solicit operators and

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suppliers from the industry who are not Members of SATA to join SATA and contribute to the development of the sector.

1.2 MARKETING AND BRANDING OF SATA

NOTED 5:

The Marketing and Branding Working Group incorporating all Members and chaired by the host of the Annual Conference was established during the 34th Annual Conference in Luanda, Angola. NOTED 6:

The terms of reference of the working group include attracting new membership and identifying attractive sponsorship packages.

NOTED 7:

The Secretariat developed the marketing flyer for SATA.

RECOMMENDATION 2:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to adopt the marketing flyer.

RECOMMENDATION 3:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to adopt the “A Member of SATA” identity.

RECOMMENDATION 4:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge all Members to embrace the “A Member of SATA” identity in their organisations and use the SATA flyer to market SATA

1.3 SATA – SAPP PARTNERSHIP

NOTED 8:

The draft MoU was send to SAPP and SAPP is considering our proposal amongst its members on how best the infrastructure sharing between telecom and power utilities can be achieved. NOTED 9:

The infrastructure sharing business model needs to take into account the cost of infrastructure development and any obligations. It must result in a win-win situation.

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NOTED 10:

CRASA is working on the guidelines on SADC ICT infrastructure sharing and the work commenced with the consulting questionnaire send out and exercise is expected to be completed by 30th October 2015

RECOMMENDATION 5:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA to continue collaborating and partnering with Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) on infrastructure sharing guidelines between the power pool and telecom operators and report any progress during the year.

1.4 Guidelines on Access to Submarine Cables

NOTED 11:

The SADC ICTs Ministers during their meeting in May 2013, in Maseru, Lesotho, directed the SADC Secretariat in conjunction with SATA and CRASA to work on the development of Guidelines on Access to Submarine Cables by the Land-linked (formerly called landlocked) countries.

RECOMMENDATION 6:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that upon completion, submission to the Ministers and approval of the Guidelines for the Land-linked countries’ connectivity to the submarine cable landing stations, the SATA Secretariat should circulate the approved Guidelines to the SATA Members.

1.5 Regional Collaboration and Partnership with SAPOA

NOTED 12:

The Southern African Postal Operators Association (SAPOA) is a Regional Association of postal operators and couriers in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The main objective of SAPOA is to coordinate the development of the Postal Sector. The headquarters of SAPOA is in Pretoria, South Africa.

NOTED 13:

The SATA-SAPOA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in August 2013.

RECOMMENDATION 7:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA to continue the collaboration and partnership with SAPOA.

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1.6 ICT Technology Park Project

NOTED 14:

During the 33rd SATA Conference in Livingstone, Zambia in 2013, the Chief Executive Officers approved the establishment and construction of a SATA ICT Technology Park. NOTED 15:

The ICT Technology Park Working Group incorporates all the Members and is chaired by host of the Annual Conference.

NOTED 16:

This is a long term capital project and the Secretariat is working on identifying possible funding models for the ICT Technology Park and approaching various partners before applying for the land in the host country.

RECOMMENDATION 8:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge all Members to participate in the capital project and jointly contribute in the work of identifying possible partners who can fund this initiative.

1.7 SADC Guidelines on Transparency in the Implementation of the SADC Home

and Away Roaming

NOTED 17:

The SADC Guidelines on Transparency in the implementation of the SADC Home and Away Roaming Project as endorsed by the Ministers in Maseru in May 2013 are included in the reference documents

RECOMMENDATION 9:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge all Members to download the guidelines and implement them accordingly.

1.8 SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP) – ICT

Chapter

NOTED 18:

The SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP) – ICT Chapter is included in the reference documents

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RECOMMENDATION 10:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge all Members to download the Master Plan and incorporate the national projects accordingly.

1.9 TV “White Spaces” (TVWS)

NOTED 19:

Various proposals, including IEEE 802.11af, IEEE 802.22 and those from the White Spaces Coalition, have advocated using white spaces left by the termination of analog TV to provide wireless broadband Internet access. Such technology is predicted to improve the availability of broadband Internet and Wi-Fi in rural areas.

RECOMMENDATION 11:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge all Members to consider the merits and business cases of using TVWS technology and share the experiences with other Members.

2. NEW PROGRAMMES AND ACTITIVIES FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE

AGREEDS FROM 34TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE – POLICY ISSUES

2.1 9th Regional Workshop on Human Capital Development (HCD) and e-Learning

NOTED 20:

The 9th SATA Workshop on Human Capital Development and e-learning was held in Botswana from 10th – 12th September 2014 hosted by Botswana Fibre Network (BOFINET) NOTED 21:

The following people gave opening remarks during the workshop:

• BoFiNet Chairman

• SATA Executive Secretary

• SATA HCD Chairman

• SADC Senior Programme Manager

• CRASA Executive Secretary The workshop was then officially opened by BOCRA CEO.

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NOTED 22:

The discussions focused on

• Why Human Capital? Managing Human Capital and Recent Innovations

• Best Practices in Human Capital Development RECOMMENDATION 12:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge Members to consider and implement e-Learning RECOMMENDATION 13:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge Members to implement effective computerised, automated and self-service Human Resources Management Systems (HRMS). RECOMMENDATION 14:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge Members to adopt mobile working tools and service which are transforming people’s lives, as well as the employees’ experience. RECOMMENDATION 15:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge Members to look at how they can make use of mobile tools and technology to better manage their workforce and activities such as in-house communication, scheduling and time tracking and consider employees working from home (home office). RECOMMENDATION 16:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge members ensure that technicians and engineers have skills and knowledge required to install and test internet protocol (IP) based technology and services and report the progress of the implementation of all these recommendations during the next HCD event. 2.2 SADC ICT MINISTERS MEETING 2O14

NOTED 23:

Implementation of SADC Home and Away Roaming (SHAR) – Roam Like A Local

(RLAL)

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a. 3.1.1.1 Ministers recalled that the SHAR project aims at developing a policy and regulatory framework for provision of affordable mobile roaming services in the SADC among them to lower international roaming rates within the SADC Region.

b. 3.1.1.2 Ministers also recalled that they directed that the SHAR be implemented in

three (3) phases as follows: i. Phase I: Liberalisation, Transparency, Information and Data

Collection; ii. Phase II: Roam Like a Local (RLAL) (International retail rate plus a

fixed mark- up); and iii. Phase III: Cost–based Roaming Price Regulation.

c. 3.1.1.3 Ministers further recalled that at their Meeting held in November 2012, in

Balaclava, Mauritius, they urged Regulators to engage the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and ensure that all measures are put in place to effectively implement the recommendations on RLAL within 18 months from the date of the Ministers Meeting. That is, by end May 2014.

d. 3.1.1.4 Ministers recalled that in implementing Phase I of the Project, the SADC

Guidelines on Transparency in Roaming Tariff were developed which aimed at specifying the minimum information and transparency to be provided by Operators to Consumers regarding the regional roaming tariffs. The Guidelines were aimed at improving Customer empowerment and protection especially against bill shocks. The Guidelines are also meant to assist the Regulators in the monitoring of the transparency measures. The Guidelines became effective on 1st June 2013.

e. 3.1.1.5 Ministers noted that the study on the impact of the RLAL and development of

draft Guidelines to guide the implementation of the RLAL commenced in November 2013 and was undertaken by SCF Associates [SADC/CM/2014/3].

f. 3.1.1.6 Ministers also noted that the RATT commenced its work with the consolidation of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Phase II of SHAR project, covering the following requirements:

(i) to obtain the trends in retail and wholesale roaming prices in the SADC for voice, data and SMS and allow for monitoring of the impact of the RLAL to the retail and wholesale roaming prices in the Region;

(ii) to obtain the trends in roaming traffic volumes in the SADC for Voice, Data and SMS and allow for monitoring of the impact of RLAL to the volumes in roaming traffic;

(iii) to obtain the underlying costs to regional Voice, Data and SMS roaming services and bring a clear understanding of the impact of the RLAL to the mobile operators business;

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(iv) to obtain the trends in international calling rates in the Region to facilitate the establishment of the fixed-mark up to be used for the RLAL;

(v) to develop the RLAL Guidelines that would specify the parameters for the establishment of the RLAL to allow for more affordable roaming services for SADC mobile consumers within the SADC; and

(vi) upon noting the need to provide the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) to understand the underlying costs to the provision of roaming services in SADC, the Chairman of RATT and CRASA requested the Consultant to add development of the SADC Roaming Cost Model to the Phase II study tasks.

The Development of a Framework for Roam Like local: Report findings

i. SCF Associates Ltd, from the United Kingdom, was appointed as consultants, after a competitive bidding process. As part of their work, SCF Associates Ltd issued two (2) questionnaires to Regulators and all SADC MNOs in all countries with the exception of the Madagascar and Seychelles.

ii. The SCF Associates Ltd delivered a report [SADC/CM/2014/3] that looked into the impact of RLAL on policy, regulation, mobile network operations and the consumer. The report observed the following impact:

Impact of RLAL on Regulation:

(i) Harmonisation in retail roaming prices will not be achieved and RLAL would not provide an accelerated glide-path towards reductions in retail roaming prices;

(ii) RLAL requires well, coordinated regulatory measures imposed on MNOs by the SADC NRAs and for all NRAs to act as a group therefore requires a regional treaty or agreement among NRAs to implement the RLAL at the same time; and

(iii) RLAL is technically challenging and resource intensive regular exercise required by SADC NRAs to set benchmark “local” prices.

Impact of RLAL on MNOs:

(i) RLAL imposes high adjustment costs on MNOs;

(ii) Difficulties to define a 'local' mobile subscriber for each Member State;

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(iii) Difficulties for MNOs to allocate monthly subscription mobile bundle between voice, SMS and data as this will have to be done arbitrary and this will be in contrast when roaming prices were by service and explicit;

(iv) Difficulties to determine the roaming prices under RLAL as each MNO in a specific country has different packages and different prices;

(v) Need for renegotiations on the wholesale roaming prices to ensure profitability in roaming service provision;

(vi) Need to bring education and awareness on the retail roaming prices reduction to ensure increase in the regional roaming traffic to minimize the negative effects on profitability; and

(vii) Access to mobile data may differ according to the amount of mobile data capacity a domestic subscriber purchases.

Impact of RLAL on Consumers:

(i) Roaming price may be higher or lower than home domestic price and varies significantly by destination, thereby reducing transparency for consumers since it would be a challenge to provide and bring awareness to the consumers of prices in all SADC countries; and

(ii) RLAL may not be fair framework in the instance where a competitive mobile market provides benefits to roamers but no guarantee of reciprocity from a visited country with high domestic prices.

Alternative Principle ROAM LIKE AT HOME

Upon realising the complexity in the implementation of the RLAL, the SCF Associates Ltd recommended that the Region should establish the Roam Like at Home (RLAH) regime in regards to reduction of retail roaming prices. In a RLAH framework, the prices a subscriber faces when roaming in a foreign country are the same as, or similar to, the subscriber's home prices, rather than those of the visited country. RLAH could, much like RLAL, have a premium attached to prices to take into account any real costs of roaming i.e. (RLAH+x) where 'x' represents any added costs incurred by roaming relative to domestic mobile prices. The impact of RLAH is as follows:

Impact of RLAH on Regulation:

(i) Harmonisation in retail roaming prices will not be achieved. However, RLAH would provide an accelerated glide-path towards reductions in retail roaming prices;

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(ii) RLAH does not require NRAs to monitor retail pricing data relating to all other SADC countries and on a monthly basis, provides the consumers and operators with pricing data and provide their own pricing data to the other NRAs, leading to high regulatory burdens; and

(iii) RLAH will also require well, coordinated regulatory measures imposed on MNOs by the SADC NRAs and for all NRAs to act as a group therefore requires a regional treaty or agreement among NRAs to implement the RLAL at the same time.

Impact of RLAH on MNOs:

(i) Several MNOs including MTN and VODACOM in SADC are already implementing RLAH for Consumers roaming across the Region; (include map indicating coverage of roaming);

(ii) Ease of provision of transparency to roaming tariff to consumers;

(iii) Need for renegotiations on the wholesale roaming prices to ensure profitability in roaming service provision under the RLAH regime;

(iv) Need to bring education and awareness on the retail roaming prices reduction to ensure increase in the regional roaming traffic to minimize the negative effects on profitability; and

(v) Possible opportunities for arbitrage in small number of Member States (where consumers might find it cheaper to “roam permanently” for their domestic services using a foreign SIM. However, this challenge can be managed through MNOs setting a provision on the maximum number of days that a consumer can continuously roam in a certain SADC Member State.

Impact of RLAH on Consumers:

(i) RLAH provides certainty and transparency for mobile subscribers as it will be easier for an MNO to provide the roaming tariffs to a consumer upon entry into a visited country; and

(ii) RLAH provides better reductions in the retail roaming prices than the RLAL to the benefit of the consumer.

Ministers further noted that the recommendation for RLAH for reduction of roaming tariff is made as it is an improvement on the RLAL. Implementation of the RLAH entails the following:

(i) Adoption of Glide Paths to set price caps for both the Retail and

Wholesale prices on international roaming charges simultaneously;

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(ii) Addressing the wholesale rates for each MNO, through establishment of price ceilings on three (3) key routes with the highest Inter Operator Tariffs (IOTs);

(iii) The need for SADC Member States to consider removal of additional taxes and establish policy frameworks for regional roaming;

(iv) That NRAs put in place Roaming Regulations and monitoring procedures; and

(v) The need for CRASA and MNOs to publish the Retail Roaming Prices on their websites.

Decision 1

Ministers:

(i) considered and approved the implementation of the Retail Tariff Glide Path as of 1st January 2015 as per Table 1 below leading to the implementation of RLAH;

(ii) urged Member States to meet the target commencement date; and (iii) approved that the Glide Paths commence from the tariffs ruling as at

21st October 2014, the day of the RATT Meeting at Vodaworld, South Africa.

Table 1: Retail Voice, Data and SMS Roaming Tariff Reduction Glide Path

2014 ROAM (Existing Roaming prices)

1 January 2015 RLAH + (ROAM – RLAH) * 67%

1 January 2016 RLAH + (ROAM – RLAH) * 33%

1 January 2017 RLAH + 5%

1 January 2018 COST + (RLAH – COST) * 67%

1 January 2019 COST + (RLAH – COST) * 33%

1 January 2020 COST + 5%

(i) Ministers approved that the Retail Tariff Regulation be implemented before or concurrently with the Wholesale Tariff Regulation.

(ii) Ministers also approved that the three (3) route’s solution relating to Wholesale

Tariffs be implemented concurrently with the proposed Wholesale Tariffs Glide

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path shown in Table 2 below and to also commence on 1st January 2015 and all be monitored and reviewed every three (3) months.

(iii) Ministers noted that the regulations must clearly state that the prices are ceilings

and not flat tariffs. Table 2: Wholesale Voice, Data and SMS Roaming Tariff Reduction Glide Path

21 October 2014 Existing IOT prices

1 January 2015 WTA + (IOT-WTA)* 67% +5%

1 January 2016 WTA + (IOT-WTA) * 33% + 5%

1 January 2017 WTA + 5%

Notes: (a) IOT means Inter Operator Tariff. (b) WTA means the Weighted Tariff Average of all SADC Mobile Termination

Rates (MTRs). a) Ministers urged Member States to ensure that the relevant policies on

international roaming are in place and to review their regulations to take into account Roaming issues.

b) Ministers recommended Member States to consider the experiences of other

regions such as those of the East Africa when dealing with Retail Tariff and Wholesale Tariff Regulations:

(i) Removal of Surtax and Harmonisation of Taxes on Incoming Regional

Telecommunication Traffic at the time of commencement of the Glide Paths.

(ii) NRAs should engage their MNOs one-on-one (on Roaming issues) in their respective jurisdictions before the CRASA Annual General Meeting (AGM) of 2015 to harmonise. NRA/MNO dialogue to be a continuous process and not an event.

(iii) MNOs should be encouraged to establish direct routes to connect and roam with operators in other Members States and beyond.

c) Ministers urged Member State to ensure that NRAs put in place Roaming Regulations and monitoring procedures by 31st March 2015.

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d) Ministers directed the SADC Secretariat, assisted by CRASA and to urge Member States to ensure that CRASA and MNOs publish the Retail Roaming Prices on their respective websites, on a quarterly basis.

e) Ministers commended the RATT for the work undertaken in the

implementation of the Home and Away Roaming Principle and to end the mandate of the RATT as it has completed the work that has been required.

f) Ministers directed that the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation

of the SADC Roaming Framework and Policy Statement be undertaken by the Project Management Office which will be based at CRASA.

RECOMMENDATION 17: It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge all Members to take note of the approved roaming guidelines and implement them accordingly and also share experiences in the their implementation and any challenges.

2.3 ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL ISSUES

2.3.1 Audited Financial Report for the Year 2014/2015

NOTED 24:

The audited financial report for the year 2014/2015 was approved by the Executive Board Meeting on 15th of April 2015.

RECOMMENDATION 18:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge all those Members in arrears to clear them during the financial year 2015/2016.

RECOMMENDATION 19:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to ratify the Executive Board approved audited financial report.

RECOMMENDATION 20:

It is further recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the contributions from Members should be timely and effected as approved, that is during the first quarter of SATA’s financial year (April – June of each year).

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2.3.2 PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2015/2016

NOTED 25:

The proposed budget for the year 2015/2016 was presented to the Executive Board during the last Executive Board Meeting that took place on 15th April 2015.

NOTED 26:

The Board considered and approved the proposed budget for ratification by the Annual Conference.

RECOMMENDATION 21:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the proposed budget for 2015/2016 be ratified.

3.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

NOTED 27:

The upcoming events are mainly those that are not listed in the main document.

� SADC ICT Meetings 2015/2016 � ITU WRC 15 � ITU Telecom World 2015 � Africa Com Conference 2015 � Regional and International events in 2015 � Others

These are important events for participation by SATA Secretariat and SATA Members. RECOMMENDATION 22:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA Secretariat and SATA Members where budgetary capacity is available to attend these regional and international events and contribute to the development of the industry. 4. HOST OF THE 36TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

NOTED 28: The SATA Annual Conference is continuing to be hosted by SATA members on a rotational basis. In accordance with the Conference Hosting Roster, the host for the 36th Annual Conference is Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL).

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RECOMMENDATION 23: It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the 36th Annual Conference be held in Botswana from 27th to 29th April 2016 under the auspices of Botswana

Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL).

5. COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD FOR YEAR 2015/2016

The constitution of the Board for the year 2015/2016 is a follows:

1 Chairman Conference Host

Telecom Namibia Namibia

2 Board Member Out Going Chairperson

Angola Telecom Angola

3 Board Member Next Host of the Conference

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited

Botswana

4 Permanent Board Member

Host of the Secretariat

TDM Mozambique

5 Board member Elected (3 years)

Malawi Telecom Limited

Malawi

6 Ex-Officio Executive Secretary

Southern Africa Telecommunications Association

Mozambique

RECOMMENDATION 24: It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the constitution of the Board be approved.

6. NEW PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES FROM MATTERS ARISING FROM THE 34TH

ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN LUANDA, ANGOLA

TECHNICAL ISSUES

6.1 TELECOMMUNICATIONS/ICTs INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICE

NOTED 29:

All SADC Landlocked/linked countries are now connected to the submarine cables on either or both the eastern and western coast of Africa under the SADC Region Information Infrastructure (SRII) Phase I Project.

NOTED 30:

The SRII Phase I Project was closed and the closure was approved by the 33rd SATA Chief Executive Officer’s meeting in Livingstone, Zambia. The new identified links are being implemented by the respective members on bilateral basis.

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NOTED 31:

SATA is implementing SRII Phase II Project also called the SADC Regional and National Integrated Broadband Network, under the Digital SADC 2027, which consists of All IP-based networks, Next Generation Networks (NGN), National and Regional Internet Exchange Points (NIXPs, RIXP) and related Billing Systems. RECOMMENDATION 25:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that all SATA members should participate in the regional events on infrastructure and services so as to present the progress in their respective countries on the migration to All IP-Networks and All –IP Services

6.2 NEW PROGRAMMES AND ACTITIVITIES FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE

AGREEDS FROM THE 34TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

6.2.1 10th Southern Africa Regional Backhaul and Submarine Cable Networks Meeting

NOTED 32:

The 10thSouthern Africa Regional Terrestrial Backhaul and Submarine Cable Networks Meeting took place in Harare, Zimbabwe from 27th – 29th August 2014 hosted by TelOne, Zimbabwe in collaboration with the Southern Africa Telecommunications Association (SATA) Secretariat was attended by more than 80 participants. The meeting was officially opened by Honourable Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Webster Shamu following remarks by TelOne Vice Chairman - Retired Brigadier General Wekwete,

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Southern Africa Telecommunications Association (SATA) Executive Secretary- Jacob Munodawafa, Southern Africa Telecommunications Association (SATA) Chairman and Angola Telecom CEO - João Adolfo Martins, Acting Director General Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) –Afred Marisa, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area Representative –Chali Tumelo, Southern African Development Community (SADC) Representative -Cecilia Mamelodi-Onyadile and TelOne CEO – Chipo Mtasa. NOTED 33:

Challenges and Business Opportunities

The following were highlighted challenges where business opportunities could be derived:

a. The charges of transiting traffic are very high and have an impact on the

consumer and on the use of the telecommunications service. b. International Companies have a tendency of forcing traffic to transit via their

home countries where they belong i.e. group headquarters, although they are operating in the SADC Region.

c. We do have the infrastructure in place between SADC countries. d. Routing traffic from SADC to SADC via a different destination deteriorates the

quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE) despite the perceived Least Cost Routing (LCR).

e. Cost of ICTs equipment and solutions and also as compared to other parts of the world.

f. Technology becomes obsolete before payback period. g. There is Infrastructure duplication at national level especially using rights of

way (ducts). h. IP Skills is a challenge among operators i. Visibility and participation by Operators in regional and international forums j. Development of local content and hosting by Operators and Service

Providers k. Internet (IP) is a Network of Networks and Operators and Service Providers

not fully exploiting its potential for traffic stimulation and generation l. Users as the drivers of technological changes

NOTED 34:

Land-linked countries are now connected to the submarine cables on either or both the east and west coast of Africa under the SRII Phase I Project. NOTED 35: The SRII Phase I Project has now been closed and the closure was approved by the 33rd SATA Chief Executive Officer’s Conference in Livingstone, Zambia. The new identified links are being implemented by the members on bilateral basis.

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NOTED 36:

SATA is implementing SRII Phase II Project which consists of Intelligent Networks (IN) including IP-based networks, Next Generation Networks (NGN), National and Regional Internet Exchange Points (NIXPs, RIXP) and related Billing Systems. RECOMMENDATION 26:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that SADC, CRASA and SATA consider drafting a policy recommendation to the SADC ICT Ministers Meeting 2015 to keep SADC to SADC traffic local and utilize the regional infrastructure and connectivity.

RECOMMENDATION 27:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that infrastructure sharing based on open access principle taking into account the cost of the infrastructure development be adopted at national level as it is one of the ways to bring down costs and thus lower tariffs to the end-user. RECOMMENDATION 28:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that SADC, CRASA, SATA and the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) and Operators jointly come up with national and regional infrastructure databases providing “ICT Infrastructure Almanac” which should be updated bi-annually. SATA will coordinate the development of the “ICT Infrastructure Almanac”. RECOMMENDATION 29:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that, Operators, Service Providers ad ISPs should consider taking the initiative to facilitate creation of local content such as email, hosting and caching. RECOMMENDATION 30:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that, the 11th Southern Africa

Regional Backhaul and Submarine Networks Meeting be held from 27th to 29th

of May 2015 in Lilongwe, Malawi hosted by Malawi Telecom Limited.

6.2.2 IMPLEMENTATION OF ITU KIGALI SUMMIT GOALS 1 AND 2

NOTED 37:

Goal 1: Interconnect all African capitals and major cities with ICT broadband infrastructure and strengthen connectivity to the rest of the world by 2012. This Goal has been greatly achieved at regional level with very few areas left for attention at national levels.

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NOTED 38:

Goal 2: Connect Villages to broadband ICT services by 2015 and implement shared access initiatives such as community Tele-centres and village phones. This is on-going and SATA expects to achieve by its deadline. RECOMMENDATION 31:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA Members to submit to SATA, the respective broadband connectivity status in the respective countries by 31st

August 2015 for compilation into the SADC Broadband Connectivity Status 2015

6.2.3 8th African Service and Network Operations (SNO) and ITU-T International SNO

NOTED 39:

The following gave their opening remarks during the opening of the meeting :

• CEO TTCL

• International SNO chairman

• SATA Executive Secretary

• Director of ICT, Zanzibar Government NOTED 40:

The meeting was officially opened by Head of HR in the Ministry of ICT on behalf of the Minister of ICT, Union Government of the Republic of Tanzania NOTED 41:

The organisation of topics groups were as follows:

• Evolution Telecommunications Service

• Metrics and Alarm Correlation

• Security NOTED 42:

Industry-wide correlation varies and there is no common standard regarding Alarm Correlation leaving Operators and Manufacturers to define their own rules. RECOMMENDATION 32:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the 9th Service and Network

Operations (SNO) and International Service and Network Operations (SNO) Meeting be

held from 29th September to 1st October 2015 in Milan, Italy hosted by Telecom Italia

Sparkle

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6.2.4 4th Regional Next Generation Networks (NGN) and Broadband Services

NOTED 43:

The following gave their opening remarks during the opening of the meeting:

• CEO Broadband Infraco

• SATA Executive Secretary NOTED 44:

The meeting was officially opened by the Director General in the Department of Communications (DoC) of South Africa NOTED 45:

DETECON presented a Master Class on “Future Telco” and this master class presentation is available for download under the reference documents RECOMMENDATION 33:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the 5th Regional Next Generation

Networks (NGN) and Broadband Services Workshop be held from 5th to 7th of August

2015 in Mbabane, Swaziland hosted by Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications

Corporation.

6.2.5 8th Regional Workshop on Fraud Management, Revenue Assurance and

Network Security

NOTED 46:

The 8th Regional Workshop on Fraud Management, Revenue Assurance and Network Security which was scheduled to take place in Lesotho from 15th to 17th October 2014 hosted by Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL) was postponed to 2015 due to the political climate in Lesotho and also as there was no alternative members which was ready to host the event during the same year.

NOTED 47:

Communications fraud is the use of telecommunications/ICT products or services without intention to pay.

NOTED 48:

Many operators have increased measures to minimize fraud and reduce their losses. Communications operators tend to keep their actual loss figures and plans for corrective measures confidential.

NOTED 49:

According to a 2011 survey by CFCA, an industry group created to reduce fraud against carriers, the five top fraud loss categories reported by operators were:

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• $4.96 Billion (USD) – Compromised PBX/Voicemail Systems

• $4.32 Billion (USD) – Subscription/Identity Theft

• $3.84 Billion (USD) – International Revenue Share Fraud

• $2.88 Billion (USD) – By-Pass Fraud

• $2.40 Billion (USD) – Credit Card Fraud

RECOMMENDATION 34:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the 9th Regional Fraud Management,

Revenue Assurance and Network Security Workshop be held in Harare, Zimbabwe from

14th to 16th of October 2015 hosted by Tel●One

6.2.6 1st Regional Workshop on Customer Services, Quality of Service and Billing

NOTED 50:

The 1st Regional Customer Services, Quality of Service and Billing workshop took place from 8th to 10th October 2014 in Swaziland host by Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC) NOTED 51:

The following gave their opening remarks during the opening of the meeting:

• CEO SPTC

• SATA Executive Secretary NOTED 52:

The meeting was officially opened by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT on behalf of the Minister of ICT, Government of Swaziland NOTED 53:

The organisations of the discussions were as follows:

• Customer Services and New Revenue Streams

• Customer Services Experiences and Business Strategies

• Customer Services Solutions from the industry

• Broadband and Content driving new Customer Services

RECOMMENDATION 35:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the 2nd Regional Customer Services,

Quality of Service (QoS) and Billing Workshop be held from the 9th to 11th of September

2015 in Gaborone, Botswana hosted by Botswana Telecommunications Corporation

Limited (BTCL).

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6.2.7 15TH SADC TELECOM OPERATORS’ BILATERAL MEETING (STOBM-15) NOTED 54:

The 15th SADC Telecom Operators’ Bilateral Meeting (STOBM-15) was held from 17th to 20th February 2015 in Port Louis, Mauritius hosted by Mauritius Telecom NOTED 55:

The following gave their opening remarks during the opening of the meeting:

• SATA Executive Secretary NOTED 56:

The meeting was officially opened by Executive Head Commercial, Mauritius Telecom NOTED 57:

STOBM is an annual SADC Traffic week which focuses various interconnect and roaming bilateral issues ranging from traffic, technology and business collaboration and partnerships.

NOTED 58:

STOBM 2015 identified the challenges of traffic routing within SADC transiting through other parts of the world yet SADC is fully surrounded by submarine optic fibre cables and fully interconnected with terrestrial optic fibre cables implemented through the SADC Region Information Infrastructure (SRII) and Back Haul Links initiatives and these initiatives were financially supported by the International Telecommunication Union and the African Development Bank NOTED 59:

STOBM 2015 recommended for the establishment of the SADC Traffic Hub for Interconnection and Traffic Exchange

NOTED 60:

Four telecom operators namely Mauritius Telecom (Sewkumar DHOOMON and Nirmala RAMJHURIA), Bofinet (Morongwa MOLOI), Angola Cables (Pedro Jose MANUEL and Artur MENDES) and Telkom South Africa (Lerato BOIYANE and Victor Phenyo MOKGOTHU) were appointed to lead the implementation of this recommendation. Mauritius Telecom (Sewkumar DHOOMON) was tasked to chair the committee with Bofinet (Morongwa MOLOI) being the Rapportuer.

NOTED 61:

Terms of Reference: Establishment of the SADC Traffic Hub

The task team terms of reference include

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• Identification of the technology and solutions for establishing the traffic hub and consider similar initiatives being done in the region

• Identification of possible location of the SADC Traffic Hub considering existing Data Centers and Cable landing Stations

• Identify the equipment and connectivity required for e.g IPX and funding for the procurement of the equipment

• Identify the Management Team of the SADC Traffic Hub including its funding

• Procurement and Installation of the traffic hub

• Maintenance of the Traffic Hub

• The task team to report progress during the 35th SATA Annual Conference going to be held in Windhoek, Namibia from 22 to 24 April 2014.

RECOMMENDATION 36:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the initiative to establish the SADC Traffic Hub be approved.

RECOMMENDATION 37:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the 15th SADC Telecommunications

Operators' Bilateral Meeting (STOBM) - Traffic Week be held from the 16th to 19th of

February 2016 in Zanzibar, Tanzania hosted by Tanzania Telecommunications

Company Limited.