©Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa 2012 Bridget Mphatso Linzie, CRASA Acting...

©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012

Bridget Mphatso Linzie, CRASA Acting Executive Secretary

Workshop on Guidelines on Universal Access/Service

Gabon

21 June 2012

THE ROAD TOWARDS HARMONISATION OF THE ROAD TOWARDS HARMONISATION OF ACCESS/SERVICE TO ICT – LESSONS LEARNTACCESS/SERVICE TO ICT – LESSONS LEARNT


CONTENTS

Background to CRASA

ToRs for ToolKit Development

Process in Development of Toolkit

Status of UA/S Programs in SADC

Lessons learnt

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

• Established in year 1997 under the Article 10.7 (b) of the SADC Protocol on TCM

• A consultative body to deal with the harmonisation of ICT regulatory framework in SADC

• Merged with SAPRA in June 2011 ( Ministerial directive) and current focus in harmonisation of postal and ICTs regulatory frameworks (maximisation of value and benefits of a converged policy and regulatory environment)

Apart from Madagascar and Seychelles

BACKGROUND

– Enhance regulation and promote regulatory framework harmonisation in SADC

• Promote investment in the sector• Promote regional integration (Merge the small national ICT

and Postal markets to relatively larger ones and enable firms to exploit the achieved economies of scale)

• Promote universal network development and universal access to postal and ICT services;

– Promote the adoption of best practices, exchange of ideas and information and expertise

– Act as a common voice for SADC Postal and ICT regulators on international arena (credibility, visibility and better negotiating outcomes at the international fora)


ToRs for Development of SADC UAS Toolkit


Processes


OUTCOME

• Old SADC UAS Definition

– Provision of basic telecommunications services and internet

• New SADC UAS Definition

– services beyond fixed and mobile voice are included, which could include Internet, broadband and broadcasting

@ Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2009

CURRENT STATUS


Lessons Learnt

– Definition of Universal Service/Access must be rooted in realities of local experiences, circumstances and diversities

– Definition of Universal service/access revolutionise with time

– Need for innovation and creativity in identification of service to be under USAF:

• mobile ICTs have taken over the Fixed ICTs in provision of Universal Access

• Need to consider addition of new services (Broadband/Digital Broadcasting)


Lessons Learnt

– Monitoring mechanism critical

– Multi stakeholder approach vital

– Learn but do not copy, Africa needs to find African-driven solutions to Universal Access



Gaborone International Finance ParkPlot 122, Unit 1GP.O. Box AD 135 ADDGaborone, BotswanaTel: + 267 31584668Fax: +267 3181171E-mail: [email protected]: www.crasa.org

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http://www.crasa.org/

©Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa 2012 Bridget Mphatso Linzie, CRASA Acting...

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