THE ROAD TOWARDS HARMONISATION OF ACCESS/SERVICE TO ICT

THE ROAD TOWARDS HARMONISATION OF ACCESS/SERVICE TO ICT – LESSONS LEARNT Bridget Mphatso Linzie, CRASA Acting Executive Secretary Workshop on Guidelines on Universal Access/Service Gabon 21 June 2012 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 Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012

BACKGROUND Apart from Madagascar and Seychelles 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)

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

Gaborone International Finance Park Plot 122, Unit 1G P.O. Box AD 135 ADD Gaborone, Botswana Tel: 267 31584668 Fax: 267 3181171 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.crasa.org Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012