Networking Policy (Stage 2)

Networking policy within the South African ICT field’s core goals are to bring the advantages of internet capability not only the business sector, but to the under privileged urban and rural sectors that benefit the ever evolving economy[1.4]. This will allow the access of a number of informational tools such to libraries and research databases at the civil level and business to business communication and market analysis at the corporate level. These policies are to make sure that the access to these communication tools are made affordable to all citizens and businesses alike within the region [1.5]. The South African Government (SAG) has established a deregulated open environment that focuses on the rural areas which will assist in dropping of prices for services through competition in the service market. In order to make this possible the SAG has developed the USAL concept (Universal Service Agency Licenses) or virtual operators which would be companies that lease infrastructure from one of the dominant players in order to provide a telephone service to a specific area. Policies are to provide affordable services that will uplift the social in addition to the economical activities within South Africa [1.4]. Even though access is available in the larger cities making access to the tools more widespread is the focus. Expanding on ownership plans whether they are employee share or equity ownerships to encourage economic empowerment are also a major portion of the networking policies. These network policies were not something the civil sector focused on, but through these initiatives the civil sector is becoming more involved. Progressive steps toward awareness have been means of developing ICT policy based issues to gain involvement from the civil sector. This collaborative initiative was started because in an effort to switch ICT policy from a more technically based policy to a more socially based policy was valued as a needed step towards growth. Many felt in order to fully succeed in the networked world the access had to stretch out into the smaller sectors. As a continuously advancing global market to fully be able to compete it was understood that changes had to be made on the larger scale.
Tariff regulations are a contributing factor in keeping the requirements of affordable universal access. The goal is to create a balance between the affordability and the need of networked services essential to the success of expanding a networking environment in South Africa as it continues to develop in the networked society. The telecommunications sectors also have major roles it the policies geared towards ICT development. Access in areas such as education and health are critical focus areas for the Reconstruction Development Program (RDP) which will serve as a catalyst for small business development and opens channels to involvement at multiple levels being community, provincial and national in democratic processes [1.6].
Telecommunication represents an enormous fundamental portion of the infrastructure policy, because of the impact it has economic growth. Linking policies and integrating them into the initiatives of growth and development address the broad economy. Information policy committee’s focus is to facilitate the continued development of all areas of informational infrastructures connection within the global information society.