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No. 37261
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 24 JANUARY 2014
2.5.3 Convergence of Internet and Media
Two factors will change the broadcast environment significantly. The first is the migration to
a digital system from an analogue one. This will allow the viewer and listener much more
choice as more channels proliferate. The International Telecommunication Union has
declared that such legacy systems must be switched off in Africa and the European region
by June 2015.
The other factor is the internet, which has begun to affect the traditional broadcasting
industry. Although relatively few people in South Africa watch video over the internet,
traditional boundaries between content on the Internet and broadcast content are eroding.
Digital technologies have brought about a situation in which broadcasting can be received
through any network and by many devices beyond the television set. Hybrid services that
belong to both the Internet and broadcasting worlds have emerged. For instance,
newspapers now offer both audio and visual content online, and the major broadcasters are
now offering textual services online.
2.5.4
Convergence in Policy and Regulation
Current policies and laws are based on a traditional structure that was premised on distinct
broadcasting, telecommunications and IT markets. These markets were based on the
existence of distinct industries around telephony, point-to-multipoint broadcasting services,
and mobile telephony services. The existence of distinct and separate policy and regulatory
approaches for broadcasting, radio-based communications and telecommunications does
not take into account the changes that have taken place. The convergence of technologies
has brought about a situation that makes it possible to use any infrastructure to deliver any
communication service. A single infrastructure can be used to access television, Internet,
radio, as well as deliver voice and video services.
2.6 ICT as an enabler and National Imperatives
Over the past three decades, developments in the ICT sector have changed much of the
world. The implementation of different strategies to make new technologies more widely
available has transformed countries, societies and the activities of individuals. The
availability of ICTs now determines levels of efficiencies in different spheres of human
endeavour and business. The same ICTs have transformed international and global trade
enabling individuals to receive information and services from all over the world. South Africa
requires ICT policy and legislation that responds to the changing times and at the same time
positions the country to compete effectively on a global stage.
The greatest challenge faced by South Africa is that of poverty reduction, creating jobs and
reducing inequality. An ICT policy framework, correctly framed and directed, is ideally placed
to play an important role in dealing with this triple challenge.
The implementation of e-services, including e-government, e-health, and e-education may
propel a significant increase in the ownership of end-user equipment. Even though these
gadgets have themselves been converging, allowing for reception of any content on a single
device, evidence still points to ownership of several devices by individuals. The reason is
that size and performance still dictate the choice of the best gadget for use for specific
application. An individual middle-class household may still own a television set, a sound
system, and a computer, in addition to the tablets and smart phones owned by different
members of the family.
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