Digital migration| A massive digital leap forward for South Africa, says Ramaphosa

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA|

LAST week, government concluded the auction of high demand spectrum for mobile telecommunications. This is a significant milestone in our reform agenda, which will, as we have said before, drive growth and transformation in our economy. 

The licensing of spectrum is one of the major reforms that we are implementing to modernise and transform key network industries such as energy, telecommunications, transport and water provision. Already much progress has been made in creating new opportunities for investment in electricity generation, freight rail and ports, and in improving the management and quality of the country’s water resources.

The licensing of this new spectrum will be accompanied by agreed social obligations to connect public schools, health facilities and police stations over the next three years. Like the mineral wealth that lies beneath our soil, radio spectrum is a valuable national resource that needs to be used for the benefit