I have been informed by the Department as follows:-
(1)(a)&(b) The development of the policy and policy directions have been delayed due to the complexity of the task and a lack of dedicated staff within the Department to carry out the extensive consultation required.
(2)(a) Analysys Mason
(2)(b) Analysys Mason was appointed through a process managed by the Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC) from National Treasury, who is assisting the Department with several aspects of the implementation of the National Broadband Policy (SA Connect).
(2)(c)(i) The contract price is R 3.65 million
(2)(c)(ii) The consultant has been appointed to assist the Department in developing the Rapid Deployment Policy and Policy Directions and to consult with affected stakeholders. It is expected that the Rapid Deployment Policy should have been developed by the end of the third quarter of 2015.