[27 November 2024] The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) have indicated in Parliament that they are close to presenting a National Communications Satellite Strategy to Cabinet for approval. This will include provision for the development of a local communications satellite to assist with bridging the digital divide, reducing the cost to communicate and driving the growth of the digital economy.
The draft strategy covers three different layers:
- Upstream: satellite specification and design by SENTECH and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
- Midstream: the launch, commissioning and operation of the satellite by SANSA, as well as spectrum management and signal distribution by SENTECH and ICASA
- Downstream: last mile IT infrastructure and platforms for e-government services provided by the State Information Technology Agency (SITA).