In a statement issued to the press last week, USAASA said that while it still considers telecommunication costs to be exceedingly high and a key obstacle to affordable universal access and service to all South Africans, it believes that this move will contribute positively to the broader provision of universal access and service to all citizens and add impetus to the recent announcement made by the Minister of Communications to further lower telecommunications costs in South Africa.
Said James Theledi, USAASA CEO, “The Telkom announcement, the Minister's recent policy statement and the tabling of the Infraco Bill empowers USAASA to actively promote affordable universal service and access to all irrespective of their geographic location or socio-economic status. This will accelerate the digital empowerment, tackle the dichotomy in the first and second economy and allow everyone to participate in the knowledge economy and promote the information society we are striving for.
“Affordable access to electronic communications infrastructure and services are critical for citizen's access to basic services and to bridge the digital divide.”
The statement also said that USAASA would seek to engage Telkom on a partnership that would optimise the benefits of its announcement to create universal service and access.
