SADC DIGITAL 2027 AGENDAAntony Chigaazira

CRASA Executive SecretaryICT Pitso 2015

Gaborone, Botswana

Disclaimer: This presentation presents the views of CRASA as it understands the SADC Digital 2027 of approved ICT ICT Infrastructure Master Plan 2012 and bottlenecks to universal broadband access in SADCEMBRACING ICTs FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE

Contents

1. Introduction

2. SADC Infrastructure vision 2027

3. The Bottlenecks to Universal Broadband

4.SADC Priority Projects - ICT

5.CRASA Current Key Projects

CRASA MEMBERS

SADC COMMON AGENDA - INTEGRATION

Promotion of sustainable and equitable socio-economic growth

Promotion of common political values

Promotion, consolidation and maintenance of democracy, peace and security

CRASA BACKGROUND

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

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

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

Enhance regulation and promote regulatory framework harmonisation in SADC

Promote investment in the sector

Promote regional integration (Merge the small national ICT markets to relatively larger ones and enable firms to exploit the achieved economies of scale)

Promote universal network development and universal access to ICT services;

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

SADC Infrastructure vision 2027

Some of the BB uptake constraints highlighted in the Master Plan include:

• Lack of energy infrastructure

• Cost of international traffic

• Limited regional traffic exchange points

• High transit fees

Bottlenecks to Universal Broadband = Suppressed Demand

Absence of detailed BB policy direction through absence of NBP/NBS = Risk of BB deployment only in niche market –highly profitable areas

Lack of open access to broadband infrastructure = High Transit Costs = High Access costs ( Capacity from African Coast to London = US$200 – 300/ Mbps/month while Capacity from inland to African coast = US$500 – 2000/Mbps/month)

Lack of content = inefficient usage of existing Networks

Bottlenecks to Universal Broadband = Suppressed Demand

Lack of adequate and available private funding for network development to reach the last mile =

In adeqaute establishments of cyber security laws = inadequate assurance of security for BB users

Absence of regular data gathering on progress in BB deployment and usage = lack Monitoring and Evaluation

PRIORITY PROJECTS - ICT

1. SADC regional and national integrated broadband infrastructure

2. Shared satellite network development to connect remote research centres, schools, meteorology stations, wildlife conservation areas, border posts, clinics, emergency services and postal branches - Project concept still to be studied and formulated.

3. Network development of Post Offices – SAPOA championing this4. Regional/national internet exchange points (IXPs) - Project implementation has commenced in conjunction with the AUC who is providing only capacity building but does not support the sourcing of the necessary equipment.

PRIORITY ICT PROJECTS (CONT)

5. Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) migration support to SADC Member States

6. Implementation of postal code addressing systems

7. Extension of national postal branch networks to more locations, especially in rural areas

8. Improving use of ICTs in postal systems

9. Establishment of a regional centre of excellence for ICT and postal systems

PRIORITY PROJECTS – ICT (CONT)

SATA Projects

12. Implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) Platforms and Services 

13. ICT Optic Fibre Infrastructure Database (Almanac)

- operators and service providers to keep SADC to SADC traffic within SADC utilizing the regional infrastructure and connectivity.

SADC Regional BB Strategy Dev.

CRASA -CURRENT KEY PROJECTS

1. SADC HOME AND AWAY ROMING

RIA 1 provided a brief overview of roaming issues and the status of roaming in SADC.

RIA II is in 3 phases.

Phase I saw the Effecting (w.e.f. June 2013) of SADC Guidelines on Transparency in Roaming Tariff.

Phase 2 commenced Nov 2013- Recommended a study on impact of the RLAH and the development of the draft SADC Guidelines on RLAH

Phase 3 entails Cost–Based Roaming Price Regulation.

2. Developing Spectrum Harmonisation for Broadband Guidelines

CRASA- CURRENT KEY PROJECTS

3. Development of Policy Guidelines on Open fair non-discriminatory, reasonably priced and transparent wholesale access to mobile, backhaul and backbone networks, undersea cable and internet exchange points.

4. Guidelines on Infrastructure Sharing

5. Model Broadband Plans and Implementation Training

6. Postal Reforms and Postal Strategy

7. Postal Financial Inclusion

REFLECTIONS

INFRASTRUCTURE SHARING EMPHASIS

INCREASED COLLABORATION BETWEEN COUNTRIES AND WITHIN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER STATES

TO ENGAGE INFORMATION SOCIETY MORE PROACTIVELY

NEED FOR MORE CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT EVENTS FOR REGULATORS, OPERATORS AND POLICY MAKERS TOGETHER

WINNING PARTNERSHIPS

Gaborone International Finance ParkPlot 138, Unit 2

P.O. Box AD 135 ADDGaborone, BotswanaTel: + 267 31584668Fax: +267 3181171

E-mail: crasa@it.bwWebsite: www.crasa.org