Transcript UNCTAD Presentation

ICT in SADC
From Policy Consensus to Strategic
Actions
Presentation to the UNCTAD
Tunis, 19-21 June 2003
By Nitin Jaddoo
[email protected]
July 15
SATCC, Maputo June 2003
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Protocol
SADC focus has been on Telecommunications Infrastructure
as set up in its charter of 1992. Telecommunications expansion
is a key element to development.
In 1996, the SADC protocol on Transport, Communications
and Meteorology was set up for restructuring the
telecommunications sector in the region: Privatization,
Liberalization, and regulation.
Today there is an urgent need to review this protocol to put
more emphasis on Information And Communications
Technologies (ICT) rather than just on Telecommunications
Infrastructures.
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SATCC, Maputo June 2003
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Protocol Implementation
SATCC-TU ( Southern African Transport and Communications Commission Technical
Unit) is the sectoral unit mandated to drive and monitor the 1996 protocol implementation
of SADC in transport, communications, and meteorology.
TRASA ( Telecommunication Regulators Association of Southern Africa) was created to
harmonize the ICT legislation of the region. Some of the guidelines which will be
presented to the Integrated Committee of Ministers this year are:
1. Universal Access and Service
2. Licensing Policy for Telecommunications service
3. Fair Competition for the ICT sector
4. Wholesale pricing in the ICT sector
More on http://www.trasa.org
SATA ( Southern Africa Telecommunications Association) is an association of all SADC
Telecommunications operators. Its main objective is to harmonize interconnectivity in
terms of setting up of radio, fiber, and microwave backbone in the SADC region.
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SATA-SRII
SADC Regional Information Infrastructure
Orange: Short-Term High Priority
RED: Medium-Term High Priority
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SADC ICT Initiatives
SADC ICT initiatives are the following:
2000- Policy guidelines on making ICT a priority in turning
SADC into an information-based economy
2001- ICT declaration by SADC head of states. Set up of task
force to look into the e-readiness of SADC member
states.Consultative workshop with WEF on ereadiness.
2002- Recommendations of the Task force on ICT strategy in
SADC.
2003- Preparation of guideline to facilitate e-commerce in
SADC.
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SADC Strategic Plan
The Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP
2003) defines SADC’s vision, mission and strategic objectives. A
wider focus on ICT is recommended to transform SADC into an
information-based economy with specific objectives and deadlines.
1. Develop institutional capacity to drive the transformation process
by 2006
2. Digitalize and expand networks to accommodate ICT requirements
by 2008
3. Develop ICT policies to build an e-environment and Improve
regulatory environment to encourage e-commerce by 2006
4. Develop ICT awareness with all stakeholders
5. Encourage Public-Private sector partnership in ICT projects
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E-commerce Policy
Consensus in SADC
The SADC Heads of States of the 14 member states made a
Declaration on ICT in August 2001 whereby they made a
commitment to facilitate e-commerce:
“WE SHALL UNDERTAKE to work together to remove barriers
to electronic commerce in our SADC countries as a means to
opening opportunities and benefits such as increased access to
markets, opportunities to create economic value from cultural
assets, reduced administrative costs, and improvement of public
services. There is a need to adopt and adapt technologies that
enable e-commerce capability to avoid increasing exclusion from
the global economy; …”
Many SADC documents have reiterated the same commitment.
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SATCC, Maputo June 2003
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National E-commerce Legislation
Implementation at National Level
1. Republic of Mauritius
•The Information Technology (Misc. Provisions) Act 1998
•The Electronic Transaction Act 2000
•The Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Bill 2003
http://www.gov.mu
2. Republic of South Africa
•Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, 2002
http://www.gov.za
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Challenges
According to the USAID:
1. Competitiveness - The high cost of ICT and its limited access
2. Inadequate human capacity in both managerial and technical areas
3. Governments fail to engage private sector participation in policy debates and in trade negociations
SADC
Average
Km of Fixed tel. Line per million people 34.6
Teledensity for main (fixed) lines
6
Teledensity for cellular access
2.8
Density of Internet Use
1.3
Density of Personal Computers
3.4
South
Africa
137.7
13.8
13.2
4.6
6
Mauritius
USA
UK
223.6
22.4
8.9
4.8
9.6
651
66.1
31.2
39.8
51
558.9
55.7
40.8
21.3
30.6
Sources: International Telecommunication Union
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The Closing Word
The SADC and the NEPAD survey grouped countries according to their respective levels of
e-readiness.
Better harmonization of regulations are required amongst the regional economic blocks.
Domestic policy should reflect international best practice standards and consensus on ecommerce
Where possible, legislation should only be drawn to supplement and amend existing laws
that govern transactions.
Finally the key to success in e-commerce is Value, Attitude, Trust
THANKS
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SATCC, Maputo June 2003
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