Cheaper and better digital telecommunication connectivity in the country is in sight, the second quarter Operation Vulindlela report has revealed.
This comes after government in April completed the auction of high-demand spectrum.
Speaking during the release of the Operation Vulindlela (OV) report on Friday, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said analogue switch-off had already been completed in five provinces.
OV was established in October 2020 as a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms.
It is a government‐wide approach through which ministers, departments and entities implement reforms. A Vulindlela Unit in the Presidency and National Treasury monitors progress, addresses challenges, and actively supports implementation.
OV’s five key objectives are to:
- stabilise supply of electricity;
- reduce cost and improve quality of digital communications;
- provide sustainable water supply to meet demand;
- provide competitive and efficient freight transport and
- establish a visa regime that attracts skills and grows tourism.
Godongwana said while the final switch-off date for analogue transmission had been delayed by a decision of the Constitutional Court, work continued to migrate remaining households to digital signal in order to complete this process.
“Government intends to provide a subsidised set-top box to any indigent households that have not yet migrated, and complete switch-off in remaining provinces.
“The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies will shortly communicate a new date for analogue switch-off following consultations with stakeholders in the sector.”
To facilitate faster deployment of telecommunications infrastructure, Godongwana said the Rapid Deployment Policy and Policy Direction had been finalised for approval by Cabinet.
“We anticipate that a standard draft by-law for wayleave approvals will be adopted for rollout in municipalities by October 2022.” – Sanews.gov.za