Open Telecom Data

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country-profiles:south-africa [2019/08/02 12:54] – [Universal Service] first draft of this section otd_wikicountry-profiles:south-africa [2019/11/04 06:54] – [Cooperatives] kdiga
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 Telecommunications and internet policy in South Africa is governed by the [[https://www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-act | Electronic Communications Act of 2005]]. The act has undergone amendments in [[https://www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-amendment-act | 2007]] and [[https://www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-amendment-act-0 | 2014]]. Telecommunications and internet policy in South Africa is governed by the [[https://www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-act | Electronic Communications Act of 2005]]. The act has undergone amendments in [[https://www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-amendment-act | 2007]] and [[https://www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-amendment-act-0 | 2014]].
  
-The communications sector is government by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa ([[https://www.icasa.org.za/ | ICASA]]).  ICASA was established in 2000 by the [[https://www.gov.za/documents/independent-communications-authority-south-africa-act | Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act]] which underwent amendments in [[https://www.gov.za/documents/independent-communications-authority-south-africa-amendment-act | 2006]] and [[https://www.gov.za/documents/independent-communications-authority-south-africa-amendment-act-0 | 2014]]+The communications sector is regulated by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa ([[https://www.icasa.org.za/ | ICASA]]).  ICASA was established in 2000 by the [[https://www.gov.za/documents/independent-communications-authority-south-africa-act | Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act]] which underwent amendments in [[https://www.gov.za/documents/independent-communications-authority-south-africa-amendment-act | 2006]] and [[https://www.gov.za/documents/independent-communications-authority-south-africa-amendment-act-0 | 2014]]
  
 +Telecommunications policy is set by what is now (June 2019) known as the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), a merger of the [[https://www.doc.gov.za/content/about-us|Department of Communications]] (DOC) and the [[https://www.dtps.gov.za/|Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services]] (DTPS). DCDT's mission is to:
 +
 +<callout type="default">//create an enabling environment for the provision of inclusive communication services to all South Africans in a manner that promotes socio-economic development and investment through broadcasting, new media, print media and other new technologies, and to brand the country locally and internationally.//</callout>
 ===== Licensing Framework ===== ===== Licensing Framework =====
  
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 csv: 0 csv: 0
 ---- ----
 +
 +All license-exempt wireless equipment requires homologation or type approval in order to be used legally in South Africa.  ICASA maintains a [[https://www.icasa.org.za/uploads/files/rf-type-approved-equipment-2019-1st-quarter.pdf|list of type-approved license-exempt radio equipment]]. The current linked document is up-to-date as of Q1 2019.
  
 Rules for point to point links versus access networks? Rules for point to point links versus access networks?
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 ===== Backhaul ===== ===== Backhaul =====
 +South Africa has extensive fibre optic infrastructure including both national backbone networks and FTTH in many cities.  Backbone network operators include:
 +
 +  * [[http://www.dfafrica.co.za/|Dark Fibre Africa]] [[http://www.dfafrica.co.za/network/coverage/|network map]]
 +  * [[https://ww2.infraco.co.za/|Broadband Infraco]]
 +  * [[https://www.telkom.co.za|Telkom]] 
 +  * [[https://www.liquidtelecom.co.za|Liquid Telecom]] (formerly Neotel) [[https://www.liquidtelecom.com/about-us/network-map.html|network map]]
 +  * [[https://seacom.co.za/|Seacom]] formerly FibreCo [[https://seacom.co.za/network|network map]]
 +  * [[https://comsol.co.za/|Comsol]] [[https://comsol.co.za/coverage|network map]]
 +  * MTN
 +  * Vodacom
 +
 +
     * links to backhaul service providers     * links to backhaul service providers
     * Open Access policies     * Open Access policies
     * infrastructure sharing policy and regulation     * infrastructure sharing policy and regulation
 +
 +== Internet Exchange Points ==
 +^ IXP                                       ^ Point of Presence    ^ Operated By  ^ Hosted By           ^
 +| [[https://wiki.inx.net.za/|INX]]          | Johannesburg (JINX)  | ISPA         | Internet Solutions  |
 +| [[https://wiki.inx.net.za/|INX]]          | Cape Town (JINX)     | ISPA         | Internet Solutions  |
 +| [[https://wiki.inx.net.za/|INX]]          | Durban (DINX)        | ISPA         | Teraco              |
 +| [[https://www.napafrica.net/|NapAfrica]]  | Johannesburg         | Teraco       | Internet Solutions  |
 +| [[https://www.napafrica.net/|NapAfrica]]  | Cape Town            | Teraco       | Internet Solutions  |
 +| [[https://www.napafrica.net/|NapAfrica]]  | Durban               | Teraco       | Teraco              |
 +Source: http://www.whichvoip.co.za/blogpage/here-who-controls-internet-south-africa
  
 == Example == == Example ==
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 ===== Universal Service ===== ===== Universal Service =====
  
-South Africa has a [[http://www.usaasa.org.za/|Universal Service and Access Agency]] that manages a Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF).  +South Africa has a [[http://www.usaasa.org.za/|Universal Service and Access Agency]] (USAASA) that manages a Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF).  In 2016, USAASA published a [[https://www.ellipsis.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/USAASA_2017-2021_Strategic_Plan.pdf|Strategic Plan for 2017-2021]].  In May of 2018, USAASA published [[https://www.ellipsis.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/USAASA_USAF_AAP_Presentation_2018_19.pdf|2018-2019 Annual Performance Plan]]  for presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services, a government oversight body. 
  
 The USAF was established under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) to fund projects and programmes that strive to achieve universal service and access to ICTs by all South African citizens. The USAF was established under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) to fund projects and programmes that strive to achieve universal service and access to ICTs by all South African citizens.
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 Unless exempted, all license holders are required to make contributions to the USAF. Unless exempted, all license holders are required to make contributions to the USAF.
  
 +<callout type="question" icon="true">Remaining question.  Who is eligible to apply?</callout>
 ===== Cooperatives ===== ===== Cooperatives =====
 +
 +South Africa has some policy in support of cooperatives. 
 +1. The DTPS has the National e-Strategy: Digital Society South Africa (2017-2030) - https://www.dtps.gov.za/images/phocagallery/Popular_Topic_Pictures/National-e-strategy.pdf
 +
 +In this e-strategy, as part of their 9-point plan, it includes Number 6: "Unlocking the potential of small,
 +medium and micro enterprises, cooperatives and township enterprises"
 +
 +One of the specific interventions, the ICT SMME Development strategy was also Gazetted in 2017 -: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201711/41243gon1252.pdf
 +
 +In this ICT SMME Development strategy, it states that the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) requires the Department to support the development of cooperatives. On page 4: 
 +
 +"South African cooperatives are governed through the Cooperatives Act of 2005. The Act aims to create a legal and institutional framework that encourages the registration and development of cooperative enterprises and increased support for cooperatives from government agencies. The Act promote the ideals of self-help and social responsibility through the cooperative model. In countries like Italy and the United Kingdom, cooperatives have improved the sustainability of community enterprises and opened the economy to disadvantaged and vulnerable social groups".
 +
 +The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) would be involved: "The ICT SMME Development Sub-Committee will also feeds its activities and programme to the National Inter-Departmental Small Business & Cooperatives Coordination Committee, which is
 +chaired by the Director-General of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD). This structure coordinates SMME Development activities across all government departments." (page 51).
 +
 +One possible entry point via the ICT SMME Strategy Implementation Plan is the establishment of ISPs:
 +
 +"Establish 96 Internet Service Providers, prioritising youth/and women owned Internet Service Providers to widen participation of SMMEs in the ISP market" (page 52)
 +https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201711/41243gon1252.pdf
 +
 +
 +---------
 +TEMPLATE QUESTIONS: 
   * Does cooperative legislation exist?   * Does cooperative legislation exist?
   * Are there tax relief / incentives available for cooperatives?   * Are there tax relief / incentives available for cooperatives?