The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services aims to develop ICT policies and legislations that create favourable conditions for accelerated and shared sustainable growth for the South African economy which positively impacts on the well being of all our people.
The Department’s objectives are in line with the country’s National Development Plan, which recommends developing a co-ordinated and enabling ICT strategy and a plan that cuts across government departments and sectors to improve e-literacy,
and provide clarity on the roles and functions of the state to prevent unintended policy outcomes.
The plan also calls for a full policy review on the ICT sector, which has not been done since 1995.
The Department has therefore prioritised certain key policy initiatives
- ICT Policy Review – A comprehensive review of policies for telecommunications, postal services, broadcasting and Information Technology.
- The Electronic Communications Amendment Bill – will also be introduced, which is important for ensuring the sector’s continued dynamism.
- National Broadband Policy – The broadband master plan that will ensure that the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders in the sector are clearly defined
Furthermore the Department has the following key priorities:
- Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy
- Schools Connectivity
- Community Radio
- Rural Development