1. 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

2. ToRs for ToolKit Development Process in Development of Toolkit
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

3. BACKGROUND
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)
Apart from Madagascar and Seychelles

4. 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

5. ToRs for Development of SADC UAS Toolkit
Status of access to ICTs
Status of Policy framework for UAS
Status of Universal Access Funding
Status of Universal Access Projects
Take stock
Constraints to achievement of universal access to ICTs
Constraints in utilisation of funds
Sustainability factors for Universal Access projects
Identify
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012

6. ToRs for Development of SADC UAS Toolkit
Against Regional and International representative Case studies that successfully implemented UA projects
Benchmark
Toolkit to be a guideline in :
Policy Framework development/Review
Re-defining services to target for UA
Defining a successful UA project
Develop
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012

7. Processes Assessment study on status of UA/S and UAF (CRASA)
Early 2009
Assessment study on status of UA/S and UAF (CRASA)
Mid 2010
Development of TORs in Consultation with CRASA Universal Service Committee
Late 2010
Consultancy Studies
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012

8. Processes
Early 2011
Validation Workshop (Policy makers, regulators, operators and Universal Service Fund Agencies)
Endorsement of CRASA AGM
Mid 2011
Approval of SADC Ministers
©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012

9. Old SADC UAS Definition
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

10. CURRENT STATUS
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11. 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

12. Monitoring mechanism critical Multi stakeholder approach vital
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

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Gaborone, Botswana
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©Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa 2012