The amended Electronic Communications Act (ECA) makes provision for the Rapid Deployment Guidelines, but what does this mean for broadband penetration?
Following the telecommunications market liberalisation, local, provincial and national authorities were caught off guard by the influx of rights of way (way leave) applications. In South Africa the telecommunication market is supported by the publicly provided ICASA, a body whose capacity to provide strong regulatory frameworks has a direct impact on how well the markets perform. The quality of regulatory governance not only affects economic growth and international investment, but also has a major impact on existing private sector investment. Juanita Clark talks to the importance of the Rapid Deployment Guidelines and how it could, if put into practice, change the landscape of the telecommunications industry.