DRAFT RECORD () MEETING OF SADC MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND ICT

Transcription

1 DRAFT RECORD () MEETING OF SADC MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND ICT ESIBAYENI LODGE MATSAPHA, KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND 21 OCTOBER

2 1.0 Preliminaries 1.1 Official Opening Ceremony 1.2 Adoption of the Draft Agenda and Draft Work Programme 2.0 Report on the Implementation of the Ministers Decisions 2.1 SADC ICTs Ministers Decision Implementation Action Matrix PART A: ISSUES SUBMITTED TO MINISTERS FOR DECISION 3.0 Introduction and Context of the Ministers Meeting 3.1 Policy, Standards and Regulations Update on the Implementation of the SADC Home and Away Roaming (SHAR) Roam Like At Home (RLAH) Harmonisation of Spectrum Planning and Allocation Development of National Broadband Plans and Implementation of SADC Broadband Targets SADC Digital Broadcasting Migration Activities SADC Harmonized Cyber Security Model Laws Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for the SADC Region 3.2 ICT s Infrastructure Development Implementation Strategy of the Digital SADC SADC Regional and National Integrated Broadband Networks SADC Regional/National Internet Exchange Points (R/NIXPs) Next-Generation Smart Integrated Infrastructure (NGSII): A New Future 3.3 SADC Regional Postal Services Development 2

3 3.3.1 Development of the SADC Model Framework on Harmonised Postal Reforms - Update on Postal Reforms in SADC Update on the Postal Financial Inclusion Guidelines for SADC Report of the Extraordinary Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Postal Services SADC Preparations for the 9 th Ordinary Session of the PAPU Plenipotentiary Conference 2016 and Report on the Outcomes Outcomes of the 26 th Universal Postal Union (UPU) Congress Regional, Continental and Global Coordination Report on the Outcomes of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) and Status Report on the SADC Preparations for WRC Report of Southern Africa Internet Governance Forum 2015 (SAIGF-15) and Global Internet Governance Forum Report on the Setting Up of the SADC ICT Thematic Group Outcome Document of the SADC ICT Investment Conference PART B: ISSUES SUBMITTED TO MINISTERS FOR NOTING 3.1 Policy, Standards and Regulations Status on the Implementation of the SADC ICT Observatory 3.2 ICT s Infrastructure Development SADC Cyber Infrastructure Framework 3.3 SADC Regional Postal Services Development 3.4 Regional, Continental and Global Coordination Status of the Implementation of the Resolution on Digital Inclusion International Telecommunication Union - World Telecommunications or Information and Communications 3

4 Technology Indicators Symposium (WTIS-16) PART C: CONCLUSION OF MEETING 4.0 Proposed Priorities for 2017/ Any Other Business (AOB) 6.0 Date and Venue of Next Ministerial Meeting 7.0 Adoption of Records and Vote of Thanks/Closing Ceremony 4

5 ANNEXURES TO THE MINISTERS RECORDS SADC/ICTM/2016/1A: Draft Agenda SADC/ICTM/2016/1B: Draft Work Programme SADC/ICTM/2016/2: SADC ICT Ministers Implementation Action Matrix SADC/ICTM/2016/3A: SADC Baseline Report on SHAR SADC/ICTM/2016/3B: SADC Progress Report of Phase I of the SHAR Project SADC/ICTM/2016/4A&B: SADC Frequency Allocation Plan (FAP) and Footnotes SADC/ICTM/2016/5A: Draft SADC Roadmap for Universal Broadband Access SADC/ICTM/2016/5B: Implementation of SADC Broadband Targets SADC/ICTM/2016/6A: 10 th SADC Digital Broadcasting Migration Forum Report SADC/ICTM/2016/6B: 11 th SADC Digital Broadcasting Migration Forum Report SADC/ICTM/2016/6C: SADC Digital Sound Broadcasting Workshop Report SADC/ICTM/2016/6D: Digital Radio Workshop Communiqué SADC/ICTM/2016/6E: CRASA Concept Paper on DSB SADC/ICTM/2016/7A: SADC Cyber Security and PKI Workshop SADC/ICTM/2016/7B: Draft SADC Resolution on Cyber Security SADC/ICTM/2016/8: Focal Points for the Digital SADC 2027 SADC/ICTM/2016/9A: SADC Regional and National Integrated Broadband Infrastructure Study (RNIBIS) Report SADC/ICTM/2016/9B: SADC Regional and National Integrated Broadband Infrastructure Study (RNIBIS) Validation Workshop Report SADC/ICTM/2016/10A: Postal Financial Inclusion Guidelines for SADC Study Update SADC/ICTM/2016/10B: SADC Strategy for Financial Inclusion and SMEs Access to Finance (for information) SADC/ICTM/2016/11: Report of the SADC Extra-Ordinary Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Postal Services SADC/ICTM/2016/12A: Resolution on strengthening of the corporate governance and general efficiency of PAPU 5

6 SADC/ICTM/2016/12B: Communiqué on the Strengthening of Corporate Governance and General Efficiency the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) SADC/ICTM/2016/13: Report of the 26 th UPU Congress Outcomes Report SADC/ICTM/2016/14A: Post WRC-15 SADC Meeting Report SADC/ICTM/2016/14B: SADC WRC-15 Meeting Report Malawi (Chair) SADC/ICTM/2016/14C: SADC WRC-19 Chapter Coordinator and Rapporteurs SADC/ICTM/2016/15: Draft SAIGF-16 Agenda and Proposed Theme SADC/ICTM/2016/16: Outcome Document of the SADC ICT Investment Conference SADC/ICTM/2016/17: Report from the Ministers of Education, Science and Technology on the SADC Cyber Infrastructure Framework 6

7 ABBREVIATIONS AXIS AfIGF AfDB APM ATU AU AGM AOB ASYCUDA CoE CEO C&I CIRT CRASA CPM CA CRTT DRC DES-RI DPO DAB DRM DSB DTT DNS EACO EMF EU FAP GMSA HPC IPP IOT ICP IMT IGF IoT ISOC ITU IWPS LCR MIS MOU MNO Africa Internet Exchange Point Africa Internet Governance Forum African Development Bank African Preparatory Meeting African Telecommunication Union African Union Annual General Meeting Any Other Business Automated System for Customs Data Centre of Excellence Chief Executive Officer Conformance and Interoperability Computer Incident Response Team Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa Conference Preparatory Meeting Council of Administration CRASA Roaming Task Team Democratic Republic of Congo Deputy Executive Secretary Regional Integration Designated Postal Operator Digital Audio Broadcasting Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Sound Broadcasting Digital Terrestrial Television Domain Name Server East African Communications Organisation Electromagnetic Field European Union Frequency Allocation Plan Global Monitoring System Association High Performance Computing Integrated Product Plan Inter Operator Tariff International Cooperating Partner International Mobile Telecommunications Internet Governance Forum Internet of Things Internet Society International Telecommunication Union Istanbul World Postal Strategy Least Cost Routing Measuring Information Socety Memorandum of Understanding Mobile Network Operator 7

8 M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MCT Multi-Stakeholder Coordinating Team MLA Mutual Legal Assistance NIXP National Internet Exchange Point NIGF National Internet Governance Forum NRA National Regulatory Authority NEPAD New Partnership for Africa's Development NGSII Next-Generation Smart Integrated Infrastructure OSISA Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa PACBP Pan African Capacity Building Programme PAPU Pan African Postal Union POC Postal Operation Council PMO Project Management Office PPDF Project Preparation Development Facility PIDA Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa PKI Public Key Infrastructure QoS Quality of Service RA-15 Radiocommunication Assembly 2015 RATT Regional Alliance Task Team RIDMP Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan RISDP Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan RIC Regional Internet Carrier RIXP Regional Internet Exchange Point RNIBIS Regional and National Integrated Broadband Infrastructure Study R&D Research and Development REN Research and Education Network RLAH Roam Like at Home RTN Road Transport Network RFP Request for Proposal STI Science, Technology and Innovation STB Set Top Box ZACR South Africa Central Registry SAIGF Southern African Internet Governance Forum SAPOA Southern Africa Postal Operators Association SATA Southern Africa Telecommunications Association SCOM Sub-Committee SHAR SADC Home and Away Roaming SDG Sustainable Development Goal STB Set Top Box SMS Short Message Service SME Small Medium Enterprise TOR Terms of Reference UNECA United Nations Economic Commission for Africa UPU Universal Postal Union WRC-15 World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 WRC-19 World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 WSIS World Summit on the Information Society WTDC World Telecommunication Development Conference 8

9 WTIS-16 ZACR World Telecommunications or Information and Communications Technology Indicators Symposium (WTIS-16) South Africa Central Registry 9

10 1.0 Preliminaries 1.1 Official Opening Ceremony 1.2 Adoption of the Draft Agenda and Draft Work Programme Ministers considered and adopted the attached Draft Agenda SADC/ICTM/2016/1A and Work Programme SADC/ICTM/2016/1B, as presented by the SADC Secretariat. 2.0 Report on the Implementation of Ministers Decisions The Report highlighted the status of implementation of the Ministers identified priority action areas including but not limited to the following: a progress update with regards to the SADC Home and Away Roaming (SHAR) Roam Like at Home (RLAH) Principle; Status of the establishment of SADC National/Regional Internet Exchange Points (N/RIXPs) and the Study on the SADC Regional Interconnection Policy Framework; SADC ICT Observatory; Harmonized Frequency Allocation and Planning; SADC Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Migration; Recommendations of the SADC Regional and National Integrated Broadband Infrastructure Study (RNIBIS) Project; Report on the Implementation Outcomes of the World Radio communication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) and preparations towards WRC-19; Preparations and outcomes of the 9 th Ordinary Session of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2016; Preparations and outcomes of the 26 th Universal Postal Union (UPU) Congress; and Report of the Extraordinary Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Postal Services. 2.1 SADC ICTs Ministers Decision Implementation Action Matrix The outcomes and decisions of the May 2015 Meeting of SADC Ministers Responsible for Communications and ICT have been incorporated into the SADC ICT Ministers Implementation Action Matrix prepared by the Secretariat. The Implementation Action Matrix extracted the Ministerial decisions and provides a summary of the implementation status and the progress is reported in the Annotated Agenda. The Implementation Action Matrix also provides a reporting status highlighting activities that have been completed, on-going activities and those that have not yet commenced. The SADC ICT Ministers Implementation Action Matrix is attached as, SADC/ICTM/2016/ Introduction and Context Ministers noted that the objective of the Meeting is for Ministers to note progress on implementation of the SADC Communications and ICT Programme; to make relevant decisions on the implementation of the 10

11 Communications and ICT Programme; to provide guidance on strategic Communications and ICT issues and to track the implementation of the decisions made at previous meetings. The overarching objective of the SADC Communications and ICT Programme is to establish communications systems that are accessible, affordable, efficient, reliable, of a high quality and fully integrated to meet the diverse requirements and to ensure connectivity to the citizens of the SADC Region and that will ensure the ultimate attainment of the SADC overarching goals of regional economic integration, poverty alleviation and Industrialisation. The programme also aims to transform the SADC region into an information and knowledge-based economy. PART A: ISSUES SUBMITTED TO MINISTERS FOR DECISION 3.1 Policy, Standards and Regulations Update on the Implementation of SADC Home and Away Roaming (SHAR) Roam Like At Home (RLAH) Ministers recalled that the objective of the SADC Home and Away Roaming (SHAR) Project is to bring about affordable mobile roaming services through policy and regulatory framework interventions. The implementation of the SHAR is being done through three (3) phases. The first phase is to allow transparency to roaming services and pricing. The Region adopted the SADC Transparency Guidelines to facilitate transparency to the consumers and allow transparency especially with regard to the cost of roaming services Ministers also recalled that they directed that the second phase commence in January This phase entails the regulators mandating the operators to reduce the retail and wholesale roaming prices. Regulators were to introduce price caps for both wholesale and retail roaming prices. The price cap was in response to the SADC Roaming Glide Paths as agreed in November Bilateral negotiations in reducing the wholesale prices were meant to trickle down to the retail market, thereby, reducing the retail roaming prices Ministers further recalled that in addition to the price cap approach and noting that the major element of international roaming cost is the Inter Operator Tariff (IOT), SADC regulators in conjunction with the operators are undertaking an exercise that aims at resolving the outliers in regards to the IOTs. This is in response to the agreement by SADC Member states in November 2014 and commonly known as the Three (3) Route Principle. This solution is where Mobile Network 11

12 Operators (MNOs) provide to their respective NRA a list to their three (3) routes to other SADC Member States that have the most expensive IOTs. The NRAs are to assist in the negotiations to reduce the IOTs through coordination with the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) in the other SADC Member State Ministers recalled that following the dissolution of the Regional Alliance Task Team (RATT), they mandated CRASA to oversee the implementation of RLAH Principle in SADC Member States through the NRAs. CRASA formed the CRASA Roaming Task Team (CRTT) in order to provide technical advice, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Three (3) Route Principle of the SADC Roaming Glide Paths and Roadmap which is based on the Ministerial directives on SHAR issued in November 2014 to be implemented as of 1 st January Ministers noted that the CRTT developed a Baseline Report Implementation of Retail and Wholesale Roaming Prices Glide Paths using roaming data collected from the 1 st January 2014 to 30 th June 2015 that is being utilized to monitor, evaluate and report in regards the implementation of the SADC Roaming project and is presented as (SADC/ICTM/2016/3A). Phase I SHAR Ministers also noted that as at 1 st October 2016, of the 44 SADC MNOs, 69% have implemented the SADC Transparency Guidelines and are publishing the roaming tariff on their website and 52% are providing an SMS to notify the roamers upon entering a visited country. This is presented in the Progress Report of Phase I of the SHAR Project attached as (SADC/ICTM/2016/3B). Phase II SHAR Ministers further noted as at 1 st October 2016, seven (7) out of fifteen 15 SADC Member States namely, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe were implementing the roaming Glide Paths on reciprocal basis. It was also noted that the implementation of the SADC Roaming project had spillover effects on those SADC Member States who are yet to commence with the Glide Path implementation. Market forces have led non-participating MNOs with a presence in more than one SADC Member State to reduce retail prices for roaming Ministers noted that the CRTT has observed that following the implementing the Glide Path by participating MNOs: (i). the average retail prices for calls made by roamers within the visited countries reduced by 34%; (ii). the average retail prices for calls made by roamers to their home countries reduced by 28%; 12

13 (iii). (iv). the average retail prices for SMS sent by roamers reduced by 22%; and the average retail prices for data roaming services reduced by 31% Ministers also noted that there are challenges being met in the implementation of the Glide Paths as follows: (i). the need for all SADC Member States to adopt and domesticate the SADC Roaming Policy Guidelines and SADC Model Roaming Regulations in order to successfully implement the roaming Glide Paths; (ii). the increase in the International Mobile Termination Rates (IMTR) in most of the SADC Member States immediately following the directive of the Ministers. This has an impact to the cost of providing roaming services; (iii). some SADC Member States have legislated a minimum IMTR making it difficult to comply with the set Glide Path ceilings; (iv). urgent need to fast track the development of the SADC Roaming Cost Model in order for the Region to progress to the next and final phase of the project and ensure that the roaming price reductions are being provided above cost; (v). foreign exchange rate depreciation in most of SADC Member States against major tradable currencies had eroded the benefits of reduced rates at wholesale level; and (vi). taxes and surcharges for international telecommunications traffic originating and terminating within the SADC Region Ministers further noted the need for renewed political leadership and support to allow for successful implementation of the SHAR Project in order to increase consumer benefits in utilization of roaming services to the Citizens of the SADC Region. Decision Ministers: (i). commended the seven (7) Member States namely; Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Kingdom of Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, implementing the SADC Roaming Glide Paths; (ii). directed the SADC Secretariat to follow up with the remaining eight (8) Member States, namely; Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa and United Republic of Tanzania, who have not yet implemented to take the necessary steps for implementation of the Ministerial Directive on SHAR by 28 February 2017; (iii). noted the significant reduction in the roaming tariffs in the MNOs of the seven (7) participating Member States; (iv). noted the critical need for political leadership and renewed commitment to allow for successful implementation of the SADC 13

14 (v). (vi). Roaming project in order to increase consumer benefits in utilisation of roaming services; brought forward the development of the SADC Roaming Cost Model from 2018 to 2017 in order for the Region to progress to the next and final phase of the project and ensure that the roaming price reductions are being provided above cost; and directed the SADC Secretariat in collaboration with CRASA to develop a dashboard to Monitor and Evaluate (M&E) and report through the SADC Secretariat to the Chairperson of the SADC Committee of Ministers on a bi-annual basis, immediately after the CRTT Meeting Harmonisation of Spectrum Planning and Allocation Ministers recalled that the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) was held in November 2015 and its outcomes called for the revision of regional frequency plans Ministers also recalled that SADC Region has developed a Frequency Allocation Plan (FAP) that reflects the harmonised frequency allocation in the SADC region Ministers noted that the SADC Frequency Allocation Plan (FAP) 2016 attached as SADC/ICTM/2016/4A and related Footnotes SADC/ICTM/2016/4B, have been updated to reflect the decisions of WRC-15 as contained in its Final Acts Ministers also noted that the WRC-15 had provided for new spectrum allocations for the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT). In this regard, SADC has commenced work with the development of the SADC Harmonised Radio Frequency Channelling Arrangements for Terrestrial Fixed and Mobile Systems has commenced with the development of Radio Frequency Channelling Arrangement for the L- band and 3300 to 3400 MHz band to allow for the new IMT Allocations. This undertaking is expected to be completed by March Ministers further noted that work is underway on the development of SADC Guidelines for Accessing the Unlicensed Spectrum Bands which is to be completed by March Decision Ministers: (i) considered and approved the SADC Frequency Allocation Plan 2016 and Footnotes, which has been aligned to the WRC-15 decisions; (ii) urged Member States to review their National Frequency Plans so as to align them to the SADC FAP 2016; 14

15 (iii) (iv) noted the progress made with regards to the harmonized spectrum planning and allocation - Radio Frequency Channelling Arrangement for the L-band and 3300 to 3400 MHz band and the development of SADC Guidelines for Accessing the Unlicensed Spectrum Bands; and directed Member States NRAs to create awareness on new spectrum allocation to industry players and communities for the deployment opportunities of ICT services Development of National Broadband Plans and Implementation of SADC Broadband Targets Ministers recalled that in parallel to implementing the SADC Digital 2027, the SADC Ministers at their meeting held in June 2015 in Walvis Bay, Namibia, they adopted the following ITU Connect 2020 targets to allow for affordable and universal broadband access, as well as, the increase in the usage of broadband services in the SADC Region. At a minimum, SADC Member States should strive to achieve: (i) 80% of the population of each SADC Member State to be covered by broadband services by 2020; (ii) Broadband connections and usage to all primary and tertiary schools to allow e-learning by 2020; (iii) Broadband connections and usage to 70% of the health facilities to allow e-health by 2020; (iv) Broadband connections and usage to all public sector agencies to allow for e-governance by 2020; (v) Broadband connections to 50% of the SADC Member State Households by 2020; and (vi) Broadband services should not cost more than 5% of National average disposable monthly income by Ministers noted that a template for the collection of key basic ICT and Postal Indicators including broadband indicators has been developed to enable each SADC Member State to measure their respective gaps in relation to the six (6) ITU Connect 2020 broadband targets. In addition, a draft SADC Roadmap for Universal Broadband Access Implementation has also been prepared SADC/ICTM/2016/5A Ministers recalled that in their meeting held in June 2015 in Walvis Bay, Namibia they adopted the definition of minimum download speed for entry level broadband services for SADC Member States as 1 Mbps Ministers noted that due to the SADC (1Mbps) definition of entry level broadband differing to that of ITU (512 kbps), NRA found it to be a constraint to provide CRASA with the requested data on the broadband indicators as they were only collecting ITU defined indicators. The next cycle of data collection commences in January

16 Ministers also note that a draft SADC Roadmap for Universal Broadband Access Implementation has been developed but it now needs to be revised due to the constraint of data collection Ministers further noted that the SADC Secretariat in collaboration with CRASA had prepared an online Broadband Survey, to gather data on the afore-mentioned ITU Connect 2020 broadband indicators based on ITU definition so that a matrix may be generated showing the baselines and gaps of SADC Member States and the region in relation to the established broadband targets SADC/ICTM/2016/5B. Decision Ministers: (i) urged Member States to ensure that by 2017 that their National Broadband Strategic Plans are aligned or include broadband in their universal access/service definition in order to bridge the gaps and achieve these six (6) SADC broadband targets; (ii) encouraged Member States to start collecting data so as to measure their respective progress towards achieving the six (6) SADC broadband targets, ITU Connect 2020 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets 2030; (iii) encouraged Member States to develop National Broadband Plans; (iv) urged Member States to collect the relevant ICT indicators and provide the same to SADC Secretariat; (v) directed the SADC Secretariat in collaboration with CRASA to facilitate capacity building for Member States and their NRAs on data collection; SADC Digital Broadcasting Migration Activities 10 th and 11 th SADC Digital Broadcasting Migration Forum Ministers noted that the 10 th SADC Digital Broadcasting Migration Forum was convened from the 2 nd to 3 rd December 2015 in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and it was preceded by the 7 th SADC Digital Broadcasting Migration Implementation Steering Committee Meeting SADC/ICTM/2016/6A. Furthermore, the 11 th and final SADC Digital Broadcasting Migration Forum was held from the 15 th to 18 th March 2016, in Maseru, Lesotho SADC/ICTM/2016/6B Ministers noted that the main recommendations made by the 10 th and 11 th SADC Digital Broadcasting Migration Forum were as follows: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) CRASA to finalise the setting up of the standalone Broadcasting Committee to drive the broadcasting related matters; The SADC Region to increase capacity building on digital broadcasting; CRASA to draft the SADC Model Policy Framework on Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) by March 2016; SADC Secretariat to undertake an impact assessment of the SADC DTT Migration has made on the SADC Citizens. This 16

17 (v) may also include the socio-economic impact on how the region is benefiting from DTT migration and the release of the digital dividend; and There is a need to convene an annual meeting to address some of the outstanding Post DTT Migration activities (Conformity & Interoperability (C&I) lab testing of Set Top Boxes (STBs), e- waste, access to, production and sharing of content, Assembling of DTT receiving equipment, SADC TV Bouquet etc Ministers noted that at the last DTT forum five (5) more Member States, namely Lesotho, Mozambique, Seychelles, Zambia and Zimbabwe confirmed that they will complete the DTT Migration process by December Ministers further noted that during the SADC ICT SCOM in August 2016, Balaclava, Mauritius, Member States Botswana and the Kingdom of Swaziland advised that they have made considerable progress and will also complete the DTT Migration by December Ministers noted that Angola and South Africa will make all efforts to complete the DTT Migration process by Ministers also noted that the status of the DTT Migration of DRC and Madagascar is not known as the two (2) Member States were not represented at the Meeting of the SCOM nor were they visited by the Project Management Office (PMO). Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) Standard Ministers noted that a SADC Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) Workshop was convened during the first two (2) days of the 11 th SADC Digital Broadcasting Migration Forum. The DSB Workshop was jointly by WorldDAB and DRM. This workshop was as a result of the SADC Secretariat s continuous effort to create awareness and familiarization on both DAB and DRM systems and provide a great opportunity for Member States to discuss in depth the available digital radio broadcasting solutions. The workshop report is attached as SADC/ICTM/2016/6C Ministers also noted that the SADC Digital Broadcasting Migration Forum made the following recommendations towards the development of the SADC Model Policy Framework on DSB the following Action Plan to: (i). Undertake a stocktaking exercise of all frequency assignments in the MHz and MHz spectrum bands during Q in order to establish a technical basis for assessment of the technical implications to implement DSB. This exercise will be undertaken by the CRASA Frequency Planning Sub- Committee Spectrum Planning as part of the harmonisation of spectrum planning and allocation; 17

18 (ii). (iii). Organise a minimum of two (2) workshops during 2016 to build intellectual capacity of Member States on digital broadcasting technologies and associated benefits and disadvantages to enable them to make well informed decisions on the DAB and DRM technologies for the SADC Region; and Investigate the regulatory, technical and economic aspects of DSB in order to develop a comprehensive framework to facilitate the implementation of DSB in the SADC Region Ministers further noted that CRASA had convened a second workshop on the DSB from the 4 th to 5 th July 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The recommendations emanating from the workshop are contained in attached Digital Radio Workshop Communiqué SADC/ICTM/2016/6D. In addition, work has commenced on the development of the draft SADC Model Policy Framework on DSB. Attached is the CRASA Concept Paper on the introduction of DSB SADC/ICTM/2016/6E. The draft SADC Model Policy Framework on DSB would be completed by December Decision Ministers: (i) noted the progress made by Member States on the DTT Migration Process; (ii) noted the progress made on the draft SADC Model Policy Framework on DSB; and (iii) commended the seven (7) Member States namely; Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Seychelles, Kingdom of Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe that are planning to complete the DTT Migration by December This would make a total of eleven (11) Member States completing the SADC DTT Roadmap; and (iv) directed the SADC Secretariat to establish the DTT migration status of DRC and Madagascar and report to the next Meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for Communications and ICT SADC Harmonized Cyber Security Model Laws Ministers recalled that SADC had developed three (3) Harmonised SADC Model Laws on Cyber Security (E-Transactions/E-Commerce, Data Protection and Cybercrime) which are in line with the AU Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection which were approved by the Ministers at their meeting held on November 2012 in Balaclava, Mauritius Ministers noted that all fifteen (15) SADC Member States now have either transposed some of the SADC Harmonised Model Laws on Cyber Security or have a cyber-security legal framework in place. Decision Ministers: 18

19 (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) noted the progress made by Member States in relation to the transposition of the SADC Harmonised Model Laws; urged Member States to accelerate the domestication of all the SADC Harmonised Model Laws and to complete the process by December 2019; urged Members States to consider ratifying the AU Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection; and encourage Member States to establish their National Cyber Security Strategy Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for the SADC Region Ministers recalled that as part of implementation of the e-sadc Strategic Framework, SADC plans to develop a framework for the implementation of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) so as to enhance confidence in security of networks, services and critical infrastructures in the Region Ministers noted that a SADC Cyber Security and PKI Workshop was convened on the 30 th August 2016 in Balaclava, Mauritius SADC/ICTM/2016/7A Ministers also noted that in the SADC Region a number of key initiatives are currently on going as follows: In Mauritius PKI is utilized to create a secure environment for e-commerce and e-government applications; for South Africa s PKI is used to authenticate electronic communications and transactions whilst in the Seychelles PKI (Advanced Wisekey) is used in the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA). Zambia is presently testing EJBCA ( which is an open source PKI. In relation to the setting up of the CIRTs the following Member States have already established their CIRTs which are operational; Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Swaziland and Zimbabwe have completed the ITU CIRT Assessment and are awaiting the enactment of appropriate legislation to commence operation of a National CIRT. The process is currently ongoing for Madagascar and Seychelles. The workshop made the following recommendations: Ministers further noted the following key recommendations: SADC Secretariat to facilitate: (i). Capacity building and awareness on CIRT, PKI and regional cooperation on cyber security. (ii). Regional Cyber Security Drill Exercise with the ITU within the next two (2) years; and (iii). Convening of a SADC Cyber Security Symposium to promote regional stakeholder dialogue. (iv). Promote co-operation between SADC National CIRTs; Ministers considered and adopted the draft resolution attached as SADC/ICTM/2016/7B. The resolution aims to urge SADC Member States to implement the National CIRTs in the Member States and to 19

20 facilitate domestication of the SADC Harmonised Model Laws on Cyber Security; and to urge Member States to ratify the AU Convention on Cyber Security Ministers noted that the workshop developed a SADC Roadmap for the Implementation of PKI as follows: (i). Develop a framework for cross-certification; (ii). Promote e-government to be at the fore front to drive PKIs; and (iii). Promote the sharing of infrastructure and existing technical expertise and know-how of the Member States for cost effective roll out of the PKI services. Decision Ministers: (i). noted the progress made on developing a framework for the implementation of PKI and CIRTs in the SADC Region; (ii). commended the Member States that have established their National PKI and CIRTs; (iii). urged the remaining Member States to accelerate the establishment of their National PKI and CIRTs (by December 2019); and (iv). requested Member States to share their technical expertise and know-how on CIRTs and PKI with other Member States. 3.2 ICTs Infrastructure Development Implementation Strategy of the Digital SADC Ministers recalled that the SADC ICT SCOM is the Institutional Structure to review and monitor the implementation of the eighteen (18) projects in the Digital SADC The SADC ICT SCOM was to also meet twice a year Ministers noted that the nominations for Focal Point for the Digital SADC 2027 ICT infrastructure projects have been received from ten (10) Member States, namely: Angola, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Kingdom of Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe SADC/ICTM/2016/8. Angola Botswana DRC Eduardo Domingos Sebastioo Itumeleng Batsalelwang Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Rakotoniaina Jean Jacques Emily Lungu Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Suraj Ramgolam Massingue Apala Linda Aipinge-Nakale Seychelles South Africa Swaziland Nonkqubela Jordan Mandla Motsa Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe Peter Philip George Mbasela Newman Nyamhuri 20

21 Ministers also noted that there are training opportunities for Digital SADC 2027 Focal Points under the Pan African Capacity Building Programme (PACBP) which has as objective to build regional stakeholders capacity from across Member States and SADC Secretariat. Call for nominations to attend the training will be shared with the SADC Focal Points Decision Ministers urged the remaining Member States to send their nominations to the SADC Secretariat by the 31 st October SADC Regional and National Integrated Broadband Networks Ministers recalled that the SADC Secretariat with the support of the AfDB undertook a feasibility study on the SADC Regional and National Integrated Broadband Infrastructure Study (RNIBIS). The SADC RNIBIS consisted of two components namely a National and Cross Border ICT Broadband Study and a Rural ICT Broadband Study Ministers noted that the RNIBIS was done in conjunction with national ICT Sector Reviews for Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia Ministers also noted that SADC RNIBIS Project has been completed and a validation workshop was held on the 18 th February 2016 in Lusaka, Zambia. The outcome of the study highlighted International, Inter-SADC, and Intra-SADC, national urban and rural broadband connectivity gaps and proposed three (3) baskets of ICT projects for Member States to pursue, namely: (i). Priority Projects for regional and national pro-broadband policies, legislations and regulatory readiness gaps; (ii). Priority Projects to address regional and national core infrastructure, interconnection and last mile readiness gaps; and (iii). Priority Projects Basket to address national broadband adoption readiness gaps. Project list is provided in: SADC/ICTM/2016/9A&B Ministers further noted that the RNIBIS on Intra-SADC broadband connectivity established that all the SADC Member States are interconnected with the exception of a few missing cross-border links remaining and are shown in red in Figure 1, namely: Angola-DRC; DRC-Tanzania; Mozambique-Tanzania; Angola-Zambia and Zambia- Mozambique links. Tanzania has already deployed their networks up to their borders with DRC and Mozambique. 21

22 Decision 8: Figure 1: SADC Cross-Border Connectivity Links Ministers: (i). noted the outcome of the SADC RNIBIS Project Study; (ii). note the completion of National ICT Sector Reviews undertaken in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia; (iii). urged Member States that have been identified with the five (5) missing links to accelerate the completion of these cross-border links; and (iv). urged Member States to look at the recommendations of the three (3) priority project baskets and to customise a list of National Integrated Broadband Infrastructure projects and align them to their respective National Broadband Strategic Plans SADC Regional/National Internet Exchange Points (R/NIXPs) Ministers recalled that a Request for Proposal (RFP) was sent out in 2014 for IXPs in the SADC Region to be supported through a Grant to become RIXPs. The first RFP resulted in South Africa being recommended for the award of a contract. The 2 nd Call for RFPs was made in April 2015 and Zimbabwe was awarded the second RIXP Ministers noted that South Africa and Zimbabwe have been awarded contracts to support their NIXPs to develop and transform into SADC RIXPs as part of the African Internet Exchange System (AXIS) initiative facilitated by the AUC through the PIDA Project to keep Africa s Internet traffic local Ministers also noted that all SADC Member States have now established at least one (1) NIXP. Madagascar, the remaining Member State established its NIXP in March 2016 under the AXIS initiative Ministers recalled that during the AU-SADC Regional Interconnection Policy Framework Workshop held from the 22 nd to 26 th September 2014 in Ezulwini, Kingdom of Swaziland, it was recommended to 22

23 develop a SADC Regional Interconnection Policy and Regulatory Framework. The Terms of Reference (TOR) was developed and a SADC Regional Interconnection Policy and Regulatory Framework Committee was set up Ministers noted that the SADC Secretariat in collaboration with the AUC has engaged Nathan and Associates consultants to study the gaps and formulate a draft SADC Regional Interconnection Policy and Regulatory Framework that would address all cross-border broadband interconnections issues, including the operations of the SADC RIXPs. An Inception Meeting was convened in Gaborone, Botswana from the 10 th to 11 th October, between SADC, CRASA, AUC and the consulting team and a validation workshop has been planned for the 9 th to 10 th February The venue will be communicated once a host has been identified Ministers also noted that the Secretariat has set up a SADC Regional Interconnection Framework Committee which will represent Member States and participate during the consultation process leading up to the development of the framework. Ministers are invited to note that a call for nominations of two (2) Members per Member State to the SADC Regional Interconnection Policy and Regulatory Framework Committee have been received from eight (8) Member States and are tabulated in the table below. The remaining Member States, namely Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and South Africa are urged to send their nominations to the SADC Secretariat so soon as possible to facilitate the study and collection of Member State s data. Nominations to the committee are tabulated below: Angola Botswana DRC Eduardo Domingos Sebastião Itumeleng Batsalelwang Leonel Inácio Augusto Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Bright Molande James Kaphale Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Virgílio Varela Moutinho Bitone Seychelles South Africa Swaziland Nonkqubela Jordan Elizabeth Kamutuezu Emilia Nghikembua Andreas Dlamini Jabulani Simelane Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe Clarence Ichwekeleza Milingo Lungu Nehemia Mwenisongole Milner Makuni Table 1: MS Nominees to the Interconnection Committee Decision Ministers: Georgina Chingonzo Hilda Mutseyekwa 23

24 (i). (ii). (iii). noted the progress made on the establishment of the SADC RIXPs and are urged to support the operalisation of the RIXPs; noted the progress made in developing the SADC Regional Interconnection Policy and Regulatory Framework; and urged Member States to submit to the SADC Secretariat their nominations to be part of the SADC Regional Interconnection Policy and Regulatory Framework Committee before the 31 st October Next-Generation Smart Integrated Infrastructure (NGSII): A New Future Ministers noted that the vast majority of today s global public and private infrastructure operates in a metaphorical vacuum. Governments, municipalities and, all too frequently, critical service providers look at infrastructure networks as individual and unrelated systems. This practice leaves them open to resource inefficiencies and operational risks, and fails to recognize synergistic opportunities. To better manage limited natural resources and more effectively harness these synergies, it is necessary to view each component as part of an integrated network. While every nation has its own unique needs, the critical systems delivering housing, transport, power, water and information are complex and consistently challenged. Whether dealing with traditional issues such as leaking water mains that drive up costs, managing transport and power networks and utilization, or high-tech concerns including electronic hacking or water and natural gas contamination new technology can improve the performance of these vital systems. It can also provide data to facilitate the protection of the critical infrastructure Ministers also noted that looking ahead, smart integrated infrastructure development, the successful integration of automation and control systems, smart devices and data analytics across physical infrastructure can offer exciting opportunities for businesses, communities and governments. Next-generation Smart Integrated Infrastructure (NGSII) offers new prospects for effectively managing the myriad of transport, housing, land utilization, power, water and telecom networks that impact people each day. This is just the beginning. Infrastructure will continue to see significant advancements in technology, connectivity and data capture, thereby enabling fully integrated and sustainable solutions. Decision Ministers: (i) directed the SADC Secretariat to convene a joint infrastructure forum to come up with a regional framework for the implementation of NGSII; (ii) facilitate funding and capacity building at the national level to build awareness and political support on the benefits ICT 24

25 (iii) infrastructure synergy development with transports, works, energy, water, housing, urban and rural development; and considered the development and implementation of national smart integrated infrastructure policies and regulations for efficiencies and costs savings and share the best practices with the rest of the region. 3.3 SADC Regional Postal Services Development Development of the SADC Model Framework on Harmonised Postal Reforms Update on Postal Reforms in SADC Ministers recalled that SADC Harmonised Postal Reform project which has as main objective to develop a harmonised set of guidelines to reform the SADC Postal Markets was initiated in April Phase I of the project (An assessment of existing postal legislations and regulations and bench marking with international best practices) was completed in March Phase II (Develop a draft Model Regulatory Framework and Roadmap on Postal Reforms in SADC) was completed in February Ministers also recalled that one of the outcomes of Phase II of the SADC Harmonised Postal Reform project were a series of recommendations and the SADC Model Policy Guidelines on Postal Services which is based on UPU/PAPU/AU guidelines for postal sector management and regulations was approved for implementation by the Minister s at their meeting held in June 2015 in Walvis Bay, Namibia Ministers noted that some of the challenges in implementing postal reforms are around the issue of Postal Sector Policy and Postal Regulations. Restructuring and commercialisation of the Designated Postal Operators (DPO) is still lagging behind in almost all Member States, Mauritius being the only MS that has completed the reform process. Decision Ministers: (i) noted that Member States have made significant progress in terms of the establishment of the Postal Sector Regulator and Postal Legislation; and (ii) urged Member States that have yet to implement the SADC Harmonised Postal Reform recommendations and the SADC Model Policy Guidelines on Postal Services, to do so Update on the Postal Financial Inclusion Guidelines for SADC Ministers recalled that in their meeting held in June 2015 in Walvis Bay, Namibia they noted that the SADC Postal Strategy recognized that one of the key imperatives for socio-economic 25

26 development is to reinforce the role of all postal stakeholders to become a strategic partner with Governments Ministers also recalled they noted the Concept Note for a Market Study on Postal Financial Inclusion Guidelines for SADC. The post office network is the world largest physical distribution network and is also present in the rural areas which may be leveraged for the business community such assisting the Small Medium Enterprise (SME) sector or provide access to e-commerce and even join the digitally enabled peer-to-peer economy or enabling Governments to deliver public services via postal networks and all citizens or becoming an effective gateway for postal financial inclusion, whereby those excluded from the formal financial sector can now find access to basic financial services such as payments, bill collection, savings and deposits, loans and insurance through the postal services. The study would pursue identification of the best business model for accelerated financial inclusion in the SADC region Ministers noted that Decision Analysis Partners LLC was engaged to undertake the study and that the first draft Report of the Study on Postal Financial Inclusion Guidelines for SADC has been submitted by the Consultant. A Stakeholder Consultative Forum was convened from the 30 th to 31 st August 2016 in Lilongwe, Malawi as the penultimate stage of the Study SADC/ICTM/2016/10A Ministers further noted that the across the African continent, Governments have begun to realise the pivotal role financial inclusion can play in combatting poverty and contributing to inclusive socioeconomic growth and support industrialisation. The August 2016 SADC Council approved the SADC Strategy for Financial Inclusion and SMEs Access to Finance for implementation during the period SADC/ICTM/2016/10B. The strategy aims to facilitate a co-ordinated approach to dealing with issues of financial inclusion Ministers noted that the SADC Secretariat has been directed to develop an appropriate institutional mechanism and an implementation work plan for the SADC Strategy for Financial Inclusion and SMEs Access to Finance, including cost implications. Postal financial inclusion has the potential to play a major role in the implementation of the SADC Strategy for Financial Inclusion and SMEs Access to Finance employing a multichannel distribution concept, where the Post Offices is predominantly the physical access channel. Decision Ministers: (i) noted the progress made so far on the Market Study on Postal Financial Inclusion Guidelines for SADC; and (ii) directed the SADC Secretariat in collaboration with CRASA and SAPOA to explore all possible synergies within the SADC 26

27 Strategy for Financial Inclusion and SMEs Access to Finance so as to ensure the ubiquitous regional postal infrastructure network is leveraged to the fullest towards the delivery of financial products and services (payments/transactions, savings, insurance and credit especially for SMEs) in a way that is available, accessible and affordable to all segments of the population, including the unbanked Report of the Extraordinary Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Postal Services Ministers recognised and acknowledged that an Extraordinary Meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for Postal Services was convened in Harare, Zimbabwe from 30 th May to 1 st June, The Report of the Meeting is attached as SADC/ICTM/2016/ Report on the Outcomes of the 9 th Ordinary Session of the PAPU Plenipotentiary Conference Ministers noted that 9 th Ordinary Session of the PAPU Plenipotentiary Conference was held from 11 th to 25 th July 2016 Yaoundé in Cameroon, and to recognise the collective regional participation of the SADC community led and guided by the Honourable Ministers responsible for Postal Services Ministers also noted that CRASA in collaboration with SAPOA formed a Sub-Committee to consolidate the SADC harmonised positions on the agenda items of the 9 th Ordinary Session of the PAPU Plenipotentiary Conference Ministers further noted that Ministers responsible for Postal Services in their Extra-ordinary Meeting held in June 2016 in Harare, Zimbabwe made a decision not to support the proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Plenipotentiary Conference and Administrative Council of the PAPU. They however resolved to support the following proposals: (i). Several amendments to PAPU Staff Rules and Regulations; and (ii). Tabling of a new proposal on good corporate governance such that the three organs of the Union are headed by different Member States or their Nationals Ministers noted that the Postal Ministers in their Extra-ordinary Meeting held in June 2016 in Harare, Zimbabwe, resolved to support the candidatures of Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe on the elections for the PAPU Administration Council seats and also endorsed the candidatures of Dr. Douglas Zimbango, Managing Director of Zimbabwe Posts and Mr. Jean Claude Ndaytwayeko, the advisor to the Managing Director of Burundi Post, for the positions of Secretary 27