The Department of Communications (DoC) on Wednesday called for comments on the proposed National Broadband Policy for South Africa.
Stakeholders would have 30 days from its gazetting, on April 3, to share their input for consideration.
Communications Minister Dina Pule said the proposed policy would incorporate all the provincial and municipal broadband initiatives as it moved to achieve some of the aims of the National Development Plan.
It also aligned with the country’s vision of broadband for all by 2020 and complemented the Strategic Integrated Project 15, which dealt with expanding access to information and communications services with a special focus on broadband, digital terrestrial television and school connectivity.
“The comments from the public will be considered as part of finalising this policy document on the roll-out and use of information and communications technology in creating jobs, fighting inequality and developing rural economies,” she added.
Pule said the proposed broadband policy deals with the complete value chain of broadband roll-out, including attracting related investment in broadband infrastructure; enterprise development; local end-user equipment manufacturing; research and development; and reducing the cost of broadband roll-out through the creation of a single point of entry for regulatory approvals.
The department was expected to embark on a road show during April 2013.