[23 May 2024] National Treasury has published a review of the implementation of phase 1 of Operation Vulindlela.
One of the five key objectives of phase 1 was to reduce the cost and improve the quality of digital communications. The report back is positive:
All of the priority reforms identified by the Department of Communications and Technologies for the telecommunications sector in its first phase have been completed, and today South Africa enjoys cheaper data and faster internet than three years ago.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
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- Completing the auction of high demand spectrum
In March 2022, ICASA successfully concluded the auction of high demand spectrum, through which six mobile operators were awarded spectrum with a value of over R14 billion. The auctioned spectrum has enabled the rollout of more advanced 5G networks, a reduction in data costs, and improved network quality. - Switching off analogue transmission to enable the release of spectrum
Analogue transmission was switched off on 31 July 2023 for frequencies above 694 Megahertz (MHz). This marked a significant milestone, as auctioned spectrum that remained in use by television broadcasters was released to mobile network licensees. Work is now underway to end dual illumination and switch off the remaining analogue broadcasting services below 694 MHz by 31 December 2024.This will officially mark the conclusion of the digital migration process. - Streamlining the regulatory framework for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure
A key milestone was reached with the finalisation of the Standard Draft By-Law for the Deployment of Electronic Communications Facilities as well as the National Policy on Rapid Deployment of Electronic Communications Infrastructure. Together, these will facilitate more rapid and cost-effective deployment of telecommunications infrastructure, including at a municipal level. - Securing approval of the Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy
The policy, which was gazetted for public comment in September 2022, has now been approved by Cabinet. It aims to advance the availability of spectrum along with flexibility of its use, including through the establishment of a secondary market for spectrum, promote competiton in the assignment of spectrum, and achieve optimum spectrum pricing.
- Completing the auction of high demand spectrum
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[5 February 2024] The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has circulated a questionnaire intended to gather information and assess whether the National Rapid Deployment Policy finalised in April 2023 has had any impact on the ability of licensees to deploy electronic communications infrastructure.
M&E Questionnaire for ECNS licensees re rapid deployment policy implementation Final (Word document)
The deadline for submission of completed questionnaires is 29 February 2024 and these should be sent to Mr Vusi Mthembu per email: vmthembu@dcdt.gov.za.
While the Policy has had limited time to gain traction, the willingness of the DCDT to review implementation of the Policy based on feedback is welcome and ECNS licensees and others are encouraged to respond (even if only to confirm continued difficulties).
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[11 September 2023] Operation Vulindlela 2023-24 Q2 Report
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[31 May 2023] The Presidency has issued a quarter 1 / 2023 update on Operation Vulindlela.
Operation Vulindlela 2023_24 Q1 Report
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[10 April 2023] The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies has issued:
- National Policy on Rapid Deployment of Electronic Communications Networks and Facilities: this supersedes the rapid deployment policy set out in Chapter 9 of the 2016 ICT White Paper.
- Policy Direction on Rapid Deployment of Electronic Communications Networks and Facilities.: this instructs ICASA to draft a regulatory framework implementing aspects of this Policy.
The Policy Direction reads as follows:
2.1 The Minister directs the Authority, in terms of section 21 read with section 3(2) of the ECA, to prescribe regulations on the rapid deployment of electronic communications networks and facilities (broadband infrastructure). The regulations must include procedures and processes for resolving disputes that may arise between a licensee and a property owner or any affected person whose rights or legitimate expectations may be materially and adversely affected when a licensee enters upon and uses public and private land for the deployment of broadband infrastructure. The regulations must promote the public interest in the rapid rollout of broadband infrastructure.
2.2 The procedures and processes contemplated in paragraph 2.1 may include –
a) the manner, costs of and time within which a decision must be made;
b) the implementation and publication of decisions made in terms of the dispute resolution procedure; and
c) how reasonable compensation may be determined.
2.3 The Authority must, in the development of the rapid deployment regulations, consider any policy on the rapid deployment of electronic communications networks and facilities issued by the Minister.
The policy phase is now concluded and the next step will be for ICASA to develop draft rapid deployment regulations for public consultation.
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[24 February 2023] The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has published the Standard By-laws for the Deployment of Electronic Communications Facilities.
Standard Bylaws for Deployment of Electronic Communications Facilities
These by-laws are now available to municipalities for adoption: they are of no force and effect until adopted and implemented at municipal level.
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[19 September 2022] The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has published the Standard Draft By-laws for the Deployment of Electronic Communications Facilities for public comment.
Standard Draft By-laws for the Deployment of Electronic Communications Facilities
Submissions are due by 28 October 2022 and comments may be submitted to:
The Director-General: Cooperative Governance
For attention: Mr Sonwabile Nkayitshana
Email: ThabangiL@cogta.gov.za
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[7 August 2022] The Presidency has issued a quarter 2 / 2022 update:
Operation Vulindlela Progress Update Q2 2022
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[9 April 2022] The Presidency has issued an update on progress with Operation Vulindlela, established in October 2020 as a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms. A focus area of the initiative is reducing the cost to communicate and improving the quality of digital communications through:
- Completion of the high-demand spectrum auction [done]
- Completion of the broadcasting digital migration (BDM) process [scheduled to be completed by end June 2022]
- Finalisation of rapid deployment policy and policy direction [experiencing delays / implementation challenges but expected to be completed during May 2022]
- Streamlining of process for wayleave approvals [on schedule to be completed by October 2022]
Operation Vulindlela Progress Update Q1 2022
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[4 November 2020] A memorandum of understanding entered into between the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) and the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) during July 2020 has been made public. The rationale for the MOU is to facilitate rapid deployment of electronic communications infrastructure necessitated by the COVID-19 crisis.20200721 MoU between COGTA and DCDT
The MOU is valid for the term of the national disaster plus 30 days.
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[8 August 2020] ellipsis Summary of Draft Policy & Policy Directions on Rapid Deployment August 2020
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[22 July 2020] Out of the blue, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies has published draft policy and policy directions on the rapid deployment of electronic communications networks and facilities for public comment.
Submissions are due by 3 September 2020 and may be submitted to:
The Acting Director-General, Department of Communications and Digital Technologies
For attention: Mr. A Wiltz, Chief Director, Telecommunications and IT Policy
First Floor, Block A3, iParioli Office Park, 1166 Park Street, Hatfield, Pretoria
Private Bag X860, Pretoria, 0001
rapid@dtps.gov.za; Cell: 0837140126 (Mr. L Motlatla)
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[18 November 2015] >>It is great to see progress here and to be hoped it can be continued……unfortunately it appears not.
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[15 August 2015] Analysys Mason have finalised the initial stages of their work and drafted a Discussion Paper on the Development of a Rapid Deployment Policy for Electronic Communications Infrastructure which has been published on the DTPS website.
The Discussion Paper is not open for comment but a public workshop will be held in August 2015 [on the 21st] with draft policy to be based on the concepts set out in the Discussion Paper. The DTPS will then finalise a draft to be published in the Gazette which will probably be open for comment for 3o calendar days. According to Analysys Mason a reasons document will be published with the final policy.
It is great to see progress here and to be hoped it can be continued…
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[22 June 2015] The DTPS has awarded a tender to Analysys Mason to undertake the underlying work for the development of policy and policy directions relating to rapid deployment of electronic communications facilities.
During the course of the presentation by the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services of the recommendations of the ICT Policy Review Panel to the Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services on 2 June 2015 it was revealed R5 379 600 had been budgeted for the development of a rapid deployment policy.
Panel of Experts Presentation to PC TPS 150602 Revised
ICT_Policy Presentation (D-G) to PC TPS 150602 Revised_ICT_Policy
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[13 May 2015] One of the major obstacles to the efficient deployment of electronic communications networks in South Africa is the variety of permissions and approvals that builders of these networks are required to obtain prior to commencing with network roll-out. This was explicitly recognised by Parliament in the drafting of the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 (“the ECA”) through the inclusion of section 21 relating to the development of guidelines for the rapid deployment of electronic communications facilities. What was intended was to create a one-stop shop which would facilitate obtaining these permissions and approvals, shortening the time and expense involved before deployment could commence: undoubtedly a logical response to an extant problem which, if not remedied, has the effect of entrenching a higher cost of deployment and therefore a higher base for the cost to communicate in South Africa.
Section 21 was revised and amended by the Electronic Communications Amendment Act 1 of 2014, which came into force on 21 May 2014. The section now reads:
Rapid deployment of electronic communications facilities
(1) The Minister must, in consultation with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, the Authority and other relevant institutions, develop a policy and policy directions for the rapid deployment and provisioning of electronic communications facilities, following which the Authority must prescribe regulations.
(2) The regulations must provide procedures and processes for-
(a) obtaining any necessary permit, authorisation, approval or other governmental authority including the criteria necessary to qualify for such permit, authorisation, approval or other governmental authority; and
(b) resolving disputes that may arise between an electronic communications network service licensee and any landowner, in order to satisfy the public interest in the rapid rollout of electronic communications networks and electronic communications facilities.
(3) The policy and policy directions contemplated in subsection (1) must be made within twelve (12) months of the coming into operation of the Electronic Communications Amendment Act, 2014.
21 May 2015 will mark the end of the twelve month period afforded to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services to “make” (i.e. finalise) a policy and policy directions for the rapid deployment and provisioning of electronic communications facilities. We have, however, not received any indication from the Minister or the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services that the required policy and policy directions have been drafted or that the required consultations with other Ministers have taken place.
In the absence of these guidelines or regulations – notwithstanding it being almost nine years since the ECA came into force – it has been left to the courts to try and untangle the tension which exists between the rights of electronic communications network service (ECNS) licensees to deploy networks on or under public or private land and the rights of municipalities – in respect of their assets and control over their jurisdiction – and private landowners. The Constitutional Court heard argument on the resolution of this tension on 12 May 2015, with a judgment expected in 4-6 months time. In the interim the rulings of the High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal to the effect that:
- an ECNS licensee does not require the consent of a municipality or other landowner when exercising its rights under sections 22 and 24 of the ECA to enter onto land and deploy electronic communications facilities [which makes some sense if you think about Telkom telephone poles…]
- in deploying such facilities, however, the licensee must comply with applicable law (to the extent that such applicable law does not negate the first bullet above by requiring the landowner’s consent)
- the licensee in deploying its facilities is exercising a public power and in doing so in subject to the requirements of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), i.e. its actions must be procedurely fair, lawful and reasonable and it can be challenged in court if this is not the case, particularly if it amounted to an arbitrary deprivation of property
- while there is no general rule that compensation must be paid an offer of compensation may have the effect of making sure that any deprivation of property is not arbitrary.