Presentation to the Portfolio Committee

1
Presentation to the Portfolio Committee

• Jackie B Manche
• 8 October 2004

2
Introduction

• Appointment of three new councillors, CEO and
  CFO
• Progress made to date
• Present priorities for the forthcoming year
• Highlight challenges facing the Authority

3
Background

• Icasa created 4 years ago with merger of IBA and
  SATRA
• Icasa has transformed itself over the past four
  years to a regulator focused on its core
  functions of rule making and licensing

4
Background

• Icasas agenda priorities are well aligned with
  the government policies/ objectives
• Icasa is supported by a robust organisational
  structure

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Organisational Structure
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Legislative Framework

• The Broadcasting Act, Independent Broadcasting
  Authority Act regulation of state media to
  ensure impartiality, diversity and expression of
  media
• Telecommunications Act est. of SATRA, an
  independent body to regulate telecommunications
  sector
• ICASA Act merger of SATRA and IBA, on 1 July
  2000 creating an independent body to regulate
  telecomms and broadcast sectors

7
ICASAs Mandate

• Ensuring equal access to services
• Ensuring that services are available in the rural
  areas and poorer areas
• Increasing coverage

8
ICASAs Mandate

• Opening up the sector to competition
• Broad-based empowerment
• Promoting diversity

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Govts Priorities

• Economic Growth investment in the economy
• Dual Economy interventions to spur the 2nd
  economy, better coverage, under serviced areas

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Govts Priorities

• Job creation access to jobs
• Poverty alleviation job creation, self
  employment
• Affordability of services cost of telecomms
  services

11
Challenges

• Organisational issues staffing, skills as most
  staff offered better paying jobs in the private
  sector
• Limited capacity in some areas e.g economic
  analytical expertise

12
Challenges

• Low levels of funding have made it difficult to
  attract and retain staff, and thereby sustain a
  strong regulator
• Icasa continues to be plagued by court
  challenges, some not opposed due to low levels of
  funding

13
Challenges

• Convergence legislation and Amendment to
  Broadcasting Act
• Liberalisation of the telecommunications market
  following Ministers announcement
• Licensing new operators