I have been advised by the Department as follows:
A project team comprising of representatives from the State-owned entities namely; the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), Broadband Infraco (BBI), Sentech and the Department was established. The project team is finalising the technical designs across all provinces and these will feed into the implementation plan which will be finalised before the end of the current financial year (2022/23). The department has been engaging various stakeholders (National, Provincial and Local governments) to present the project and solicit input in terms of the sites that will require connectivity. ICASA is also engaging the telcos (who are the recipients of the recently auctioned spectrum) on the Social Obligations Connectivity as per the ITA (Invitation to Apply) conditions. The Implementation of Phase 2 is planned to commence in the next financial year (2023/24) after budget confirmation.
The relevant details on the roll-out are attached herewith as Annexure A.
Thank You.
PQ 310: Hon.Z Majozi (IFP) to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies,