A critical analysis of the South African integrated information and communication technology policy

Abstract

This dissertation underpins a qualitative document analysis of the 2016 South African integrated information and communication technology (ICT) policy: White Paper. However, in this study, this policy is referred to as the 2016 national ICT policy. Information and communication technology include critical digital hardware and software tools, content, applications and services that can be used to share ideas and innovations. Thus, the 2016 national ICT policy outlines crucial strategies that are pertinent to the use of ICT towards overall technological and infrastructural development as envisioned in the National Development Plan (NDP). Moreover, the 2016 national ICT policy outlines a national ICT vision that advocates for the universal service and access to ICT so that the opportunities and challenges of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) are realised and addressed. This national ICT vision also includes strategies that are aimed at properly integrating the South African ICT sector and policy in a manner that is line with the 4IR context. Thus, this study will consider ICT development, convergence and digital inclusion as key themes in order to explore and describe the 2016 national ICT policy. Therefore, this study explores and describes the initiatives of the 2016 national ICT policy, including the role of government entities towards the implementation of this policy. Thematic content analysis (documents) and interviews were employed to explore and describe the initiatives (ICT development, convergence and digital inclusion) and role of government entities. This study reveals that the 2016 national ICT policy aims to implement initiatives such as the wireless open access network (WOAN), rapid deployment of ICT, content and economic regulators and the digital development fund (digital-DF). Government entities tasked with implementing these initiatives include the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS), Department of Communications (DoC), Universal Access and Service Agency of South Africa (USAASA), Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and the South African Post Office (SAPO). However, these entities will assume different names, roles and responsibilities towards achieving the objective of the 2016 national ICT policy.