PROPOSAL FOR FREE WIFI TO STRATEGIC
PROPOSAL FOR FREE WIFI TO STRATEGIC INTEGRATED PROJECT 15 (SIP 15) Free WiFi For Africa NPC, trading as Project Isizwe NPO Registration 133-371 NPO 156 DORP STREET, STELLENBOSCH, 7600, SOUTH AFRICA TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................... 2 OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................ 3 THE LEGAL AND GOVERNMENTAL PERSPECTIVE .......................................................... 3 SIP 15 STRATEGIC GOALS .................................................................................................. 4 HOW FREE WIFI ADDRESSES SIP 15 STRATEGIC GOALS ............................................. 4 E-SERVICES TO GOVERNMENT AND ITS CITIZENS ........................................................ 5 2 OVERVIEW On December 2012 the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) launched Strategic Integrated Project 15: Expanding Access to Communication Technology. Led by the Department of Communications and supported by the Department of Public Enterprises and Department of Science and Technology, SIP 15 aims to ensure universal service and access to reliable, affordable and secure broadband services to all South Africans, prioritising rural and under-serviced areas and stimulating economic growth. SIP 15 shows similarities to other international projects such as the one currently in its start-up phase in the Republic of the Philippines, managed by their Department of Science and Technology. THE LEGAL AND GOVERNMENTAL PERSPECTIVE Evaluating section 152 of the Constitution of South Africa, it is evident that the strategic objectives of local government relates to that of SIP 15. The objectives from both mandates are to promote social and economic development, to strengthen accountability and provide a democratic government for local communities, to foster development partnerships by encouraging the involvement of communities in local government matters, to accelerate service delivery in a sustainable manner, to support the vulnerable and to facilitate economic growth. The Philippines project focuses on free WiFi in public places in partnership with local municipalities, public schools, libraries, government hospitals and rural health units. The project anticipates efficient use of private and public sector investment and a “more competitive ICT ecosystem”.1 1 Free Wi-‐Fi Internet access in public places, Republic of the Philippines, 2015:1-‐4 3 SIP 15 STRATEGIC GOALS The SIP 15 strategic goals are as follows: 1. Expanding access to communication technology through broadband infrastructure roll-out. 2. Establishing national backbone infrastructure, which will inter alia include establishing core Points of Presence (POPs) in district municipalities, extending fibre networks across provinces linking districts and rural and under-served areas. 3. Coordinating and integrating communication infrastructure activities within state-owned enterprises, private entities, provinces and local government 4. Prioritising connectivity to rural and under-serviced areas including e-health, eschools and e-government. HOW FREE WIFI ADDRESSES SIP 15 STRATEGIC GOALS The deployment of Free WiFi networks addresses the aforementioned goals as follows: 1. Expanding access to communication technology through broadband infrastructure roll-out WiFi is the most widely used last-mile access medium, largely due to the high rate of penetration of WiFi-enabled smartphones and tablets in low-income communities. Furthermore, WiFi network infrastructure is a fraction of the cost of 3G, allowing for greater economic feasibility for government-funded internet access. 4 2. Establishing national backbone infrastructure, which will inter alia include establishing core Points of Presence (POPs) in district municipalities, extending fibre networks across provinces linking districts and rural and under-served areas The existing fibre backbones are largely unutilized. What is needed is the “last mile” to provide citizens with access to the huge untapped capacity that has been installed in the past few years. Free WiFi is the most appropriate last mile for low-income communities. 3. Coordinating and integrating communication infrastructure activities within state-owned enterprises, private entities, provinces and local government There is a variety of participants required for the execution of SIP 15, providing both premises and transmission infrastructure. The only constant in the equation is that the last mile will be Free WiFi. It is logical that the Free WiFi network operator be charged with coordination and integration of all government and non-governmental stakeholders. 4. Prioritising connectivity to rural and under-serviced areas including ehealth, e-schools and e-government Free WiFi is the fastest and most cost-effective means of connecting citizens in rural and under-serviced areas, thereby enabling content and applications that power e-health, eschools and e-government. E-SERVICES TO GOVERNMENT AND ITS CITIZENS A case study of the Town of Pepperell, USA, provides insight into the short and long term benefits held by connectivity and specifically the reduced cost of a free WiFi approach. 5 The Town of Pepperell found that the network improved emergency preparedness, increased efficiency of municipal services and encouraged business development, simultaneously erasing the digital divide. The direct benefits were reduced telecommunications costs with respect to phone and internet connections. Other new technology features that can be used to optimize the network, include communications via VOIP, establishing VPNs and communicating with smart meters, telemetry (remote measurement) of dams and control of pumps and the use of CCTV, impacting safety and quality of life. 2 Other E-Services offered to various stakeholders are designed to streamline interactions with government by providing access 24/7. Services and website strategies observed and that are available in terms of best practices in other countries and offered online to employees, citizens and government as an institution are: • Online payments • Online permit centers • Customer service centers • Search of public records • Document centers • FAQs • Bids • Employment opportunities • Social media and information sharing • City census • Online submit forms • Online maps • Where to vote and related information • Free WiFi access • Employee portal • Contact us 2[Online]. Available: www.worcesterma.gov accessed on 14 March 2015 6 Project Isizwe, a Non-Profit Organisation came up with an innovative solution to offer free WiFi as a basic service which will allow for the internet access embarked on by the three spheres of government. Project Isizwe and its approach to facilitate the establishment of Free Internet Zones is detailed in the accompanying information. A partnership with Isizwe will result in increased levels of connectivity, affordable WiFi and the envisaged outcomes of improved e-governance as a developmental government and Constitutional mandate, NDP objective and SIP 15 outcome. 7
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