NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 799
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 AUGUST 2009 (INTERNAL
QUESTION PAPER NO 10-2009)
â799. Ms MR Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology
(1) Whether a delay in the implementation of the African West Coast Cable
(AWCC) project will jeopardise South Africaâs bid to host SKA; if not,
what is the position in this regard; if so, what plan of action is in
place to ensure the opportunity to host SKA;
2) whether her department has taken any steps to ensure Broadband Infraco
installs and implements the cable in time to support the bid for both
the (i) MeerKat and (ii) SKA; if not, why not; if so, what are the
relevant details?â
NW937E
REPLY:
1) A delay in the implementation of the West African Cable System (WACS),
formerly called the African West Coast Cable (AWCC), will not
jeopardise South Africaâs bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)
radio telescope. South Africa's ability to provide an assurance low-
cost broadband that is as or more cost-effective than Australia for
the first phase of the SKA is more crucial. Completion of the first
phase of the SKA is expected in 2017/18.
2) Regular interaction between the Department of Science and Technology
and the Department of Public Enterprises at director-general level has
been created to ensure that Broadband Infraco installs the cable in
time to support the bid. The completion of the infrastructure is
secondary to a guarantee of low-cost broadband prior to the decision
on the SKA host country, which is expected in about 2011. At
operational level, the South African SKA Project Office meets with
Broadband Infraco to ensure the alignment of broadband requirements.
(#163860)