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©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
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012
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)
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012
ToRs for Development of SADC UAS Toolkit
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012
ToRs for Development of SADC UAS Toolkit
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012
Processes
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012
Processes
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012
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
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012
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)
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012
Lessons Learnt
– Monitoring mechanism critical
– Multi stakeholder approach vital
– Learn but do not copy, Africa needs to find African-driven solutions to Universal Access
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012
Gaborone International Finance ParkPlot 122, Unit 1GP.O. Box AD 135 ADDGaborone, BotswanaTel: + 267 31584668Fax: +267 3181171E-mail: [email protected]: www.crasa.org