REPORT ON THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS OVERSIGHT VISIT TO CITY OF CAPE TOWN 7 AUGUST AND KNYSNA MUNICIPALITY 8 AUGUST 2006:

The Portfolio Committee on Communications, having undertaken a study tour to the City of Cape Town and Knysna Municipality on the 7 -8 August 2006 respectively, reports as follows:

A. INTRODUCTION

The Portfolio Committee on Communications embarked on a study tour to the City of Cape Town and Knysna Municipality. The purpose of the visits was to observe what the municipalities are doing in rolling out wireless connection services and also to observe that people from all backgrounds have access to affordable information technologies and resources.

B. BACKGROUND

The Portfolio Committee on Communications resolved to undertake a study tour to the City of Cape Town and Uninet / Knysna Municipality as a result of briefing to the Committee on wireless applications by these municipalities on 9 June 2006.The briefing encompassed the achievements in rolling out the Smart Cape internet access system to disadvantaged schools and libraries, and the provision of business training and access to new business and entrepreneurship. The briefing also included the partnership between Knyslla Municipality and Uninet in providing wireless connection to the entire municipality.

C.PROCEDURE

The delegation had a meeting at the City of Cape Town with the Chief Information Officer Mr Nirvesh Sooful, and his team. The delegation of the ComIT.1ittee comprised the following:

MEMBERS:

·         Mr KM Khumalo ANC

·         Mr GG Oliphant (ANC) Acting Chairperson

·         Ms RD Pieterse (ANC)

·         Mr LE Yengeni (ANC)

 

STAFF:

Miss T Madubela Committee Secretary
Mr F Holiday Committee Assistant

D. FINDINGS

Briefing on Smart Cape Project

The City of Cape Town Chief Information Officer Mr Nirvesh Sooful presented achievements relating to Smart City Wireless connection and the use of Open Source technology not only by local government but also by government as the whole. The project entails bringing ICT services into high unemployment and poverty stricken areas in order to meet the city's social objective which is to educate communities about the importance and the benefits of using ICT, for example the billing system which makes it easy for people to pay services.

Currently there are 98 sites with 85 000 users in the Western Province. Wireless connection is being used as a pilot project, in the Western Cape, following its successes in municipalities such as Tshwane and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan municipalities

The greatest challenge that the city is facing is to roll out wireless connectivity where there is a need, but due to lack of funding the project is not being sufficiently communicated and marketed.

The Committee also heard the high internet costs using Telkom infrastructure makes it difficult for wireless providers to service areas like Khayelitsha where there is no infrastructure at all. In such an area wireless connection is a cheaper option than using Telkom lines.

The issues of legal regime and interference were raised. In response the city stated that it has a PTN licence, in contrast to the Knysna Municipality experiences, there is no interference. The City of Cape Town municipality fully complies with the ICASA regulations and is in the process of identifying additional wireless frequency points to be covered. A tender process was underway. The delegation also heard that the Development Bank of Southern Africa and SIT A are not assisting the communities as far as provisions of the ICT services are concerned.

Site Visit to Langa Clinic, Delft Library, Moses Mabhida library and Masakhane library

Access to ICT facilities and applications - This is a basic service offered to clinics, libraries, and youth and business centres. The centres are not only equipped with desktop computers and photocopy machines for use by the communities but also offer basic computer training to communities. The computers provide 45 minutes internet access to internet and email to users. The library services are also rendered. One of the benefits of this project is that communities are able to access the internet for free, this enables them to apply for jobs and also compile CVs and business plans. The centres also assist school children with their school projects.

Site visit to Zenzele Development Business Centre

Business development services sites - The principal goal of the digital business Centre programme is to promote economic and social development through skills development and to create employment opportunities. The business development service initiative is a partnership between the city, government and other developmental agencies to assist entrepreneurs and small business to acquire knowledge on how to start and run a business, including assistance with capital and basic infrastructure as well as access to the market and finding customers.

Visit to Knysna Municipality - 8 August 2006

The delegation met with Executive Mayor of Knysna Municipality Dr Joy Cole, Municipal Manager Mr Grant Easton and Uninet CEO, Mr David Jarvis at the Kynsna Municipal offices.

Municipal Manager Mr Grant Easton briefed the delegation on the reasons why the municipality embarked on the wireless connection project with Uninet.The project entails providing the municipal area with a community­driven wireless n~twork incorporating international best practices.

The Uninet Chief Executive Officer, presented the UniFi Project, a partnership between the municipality and Uninet.The project provides connection at reduced costs to the municipality, libraries and schools. The project has contributed towards the upliftment of people living in the informal sectors, and includes connectivity to education, community services, and municipal services and can be used by business, citizens and tourists. Uninet as an infrastructure provider operate the network and ensures that the system is maintained and expanded throughout the region. Currently, 62 sites have been installed and include schools, clinics, museums, libraries, the fire department, municipal staff home connection to municipal offices.

Once more the issue of interference, especially with Telkom lines was raised. However Uninet clarified the position by saying liberalisation of spectrum is inevitable, and will allow more and more competition and promote low prices to users.

Site visits were undertaken to the following;

 

·         Wireless installations around the Finance Building

 

·         Masifunde Library free public access was demonstrated

 

·         Masifunde Spaza shop WiFi phone was demonstrated

 

·         Hornlee Repeater Technology was demonstrated


CONCLUDING REMARKS

The Chairperson remarked by stating that with convergence of telecoms which has already started will open opportunity for other providers as well. He also mentioned the fact that sector has improved the lives of many South Africans in empowering them economically.

 

·         It was also proposed that Uninet as a long term plan should offer training to the poor communities to sell airtime.

 

·         The municipality and Uninet must ensure the roll-out of e-mail addresses and street addresses to poor communities

 

·         Wards should be included in the partnership between the municipality and Uninet in order to improve communication

 

·         The municipality and Uninet should ensure cheaper airtime and network coverage to poor communities in the area.