I have been advised by the Department as follows: -
1. The Minister is not responsible for technology launches and thus does not determine technology launch dates.
Suffice to say, the Minister provides policies that establish an enabling environment and broad frameworks for creating equitable opportunities for all market players.
2. The department is working with various industry players who are rolling out latest 5G technology. As an example, the department recently partnered with Nokia and Vodacom during the recent Digital Economy Summit wherein President Ramaphosa, speaking at Gallagher Convention Centre, had his address simultaneously broadcast as a holographic image to the Rustenburg Civic Centre.
3. The national security agencies and the departments in the security cluster, continuously scan the environment for any potential threats to the State and its people, and if there is any potential security threat, it will be dealt with. Furthermore, the Cybersecurity Hub in the department falls under the Government’s broader security mandate and such engages with other government security institutions and industry players to implement safety standards and measures.
4. With regards to security, 5G is no different from previous generation networks and the same established security principles will need to be applied. As stated, national security agencies and the departments in the security cluster are continuously scanning the environment to deal with any potential threats to the State and its people. The government has legislated the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA) and the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act. Government has also developed the Cyber Security Policy Framework and the department is currently working on the Data Policy. All these policies and legislation, inter alia, address issues of security.
5. No.
MS STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS
MINISTER