June 2007 ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL Department of Science and Technology Scientia Campus Meiring Naude Road Tshwane 0001

June 2007 AGAP:A 10-year Strategic Outlook (to be finalised in 2007) Steer knowledge production, publication, transmission and preservation Steer knowledge production, publication, transmission and preservation Strategy should be focused and aim for greater efficiency to collectively advance research Strategy should be focused and aim for greater efficiency to collectively advance research Provide framework for critical mass development Provide framework for critical mass development Increase visibility of scientific research Increase visibility of scientific research ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE PROGRAMME (AGAP)

June 2007 AGAP MULTI-WAVELENGTH RESEARCH Southern African Large Telescope – Northern Cape, RSA High Energy Stereoscopic System – Namibia Karoo Array Telescope/SKA – Northern Cape, RSA SKASALT HESS The Electromagnetic spectrum Increasing Energy or Frequency

June 2007 ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL Protect Astronomy investments already made in South Africa Maintain an environment for a global astronomy hub that will continue to attract international investments Create a competitive edge for South Africa to win the bid to host the SKA Attract Astronomy investments which may include C-BASS (C- Band All-Sky Survey) and DSN (Deep Space Network) Array The Purpose

June 2007 The Process (1) AGA Bill presented to Cabinet in Nov 2005 and approved for a public consultation process Consultations started in early 2006 and the following stakeholders have been approached: i. Government departments and public sector entities ii. National operators iii. Key partners ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL

June 2007 Comments requested from (comments receivedfrom those in green): Comments requested from (comments received from those in green): DoC, DoD, DME, DPE, DPLG, DoT & DTIDoC, DoD, DME, DPE, DPLG, DoT & DTI Northern Cape ProvinceNorthern Cape Province ICASA, CAA & SAPSICASA, CAA & SAPS ATNS, ESKOM, Sentech, Telkom & TransnetATNS, ESKOM, Sentech, Telkom & Transnet Cell-C, MTN,VodacomCell-C, MTN, SNO/Neotel & Vodacom CONSULTATIONS ON THE AGA BILL

June 2007 The Process (2) Amendments to the AGA Bill presented to Cabinet in Nov 2006 and approved for tabling to Parliament A communications strategy on the positive impact of the Bill is developed as part broader Astronomy communication plan in partnership with the NC Government ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL

June 2007 ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL CATEGORIES OF ADVANTAGE AREAS i.Core ii.Central iii.Co-ordinated

June 2007 ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL CORE ADVANTAGE AREAS Where an astronomy device is located or may be situated in future

June 2007 ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL CENTRAL ADVANTAGE AREAS To protect the core from immediate surroundings negative Interference on astronomy devices CORE ADVANTAGE AREAS Where an astronomy device is located or may be situated in future

June 2007 ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL CORDINATED ADVANTAGE AREAS Regulate the area(s) as buffer zones for the protection of Central and core advantage areas CENTRAL ADVANTAGE AREAS To protect the core from immediate surroundings negative Interference on astronomy devices CORE ADVANTAGE AREAS Where an astronomy device is located or may be situated in future

June 2007 Co-ordination zone Established to prevent high powered broadcast transmitters from negatively impacting the core zone COORDINATED AND CENTRAL ADVANTAGE AREAS

June 2007 CHAPTER 2: DECLARATION OF ASTRONOMY ADVANTAGE AREAS Minister may declare an astronomy advantage area Minister may withdraw or exclude an astronomy advantage area

June 2007 BROADCASTING & TELECOMUNICATIONS IMPACT ● Radio astronomy instruments in remote sparsely populated areas i. To minimise overall impact ● FM not affected in all areas ● Single channel analogue television transmissions with high power and from high sites i.Effectively replaced with multi-channel low power municipal relay transmitters ii.Will be migrated to digital technology (low power local transmissions) iii.All broadcasting services are available from satellite (already digital) ● Point-to-point and point-to-multipoint telecommunication stations for public and private communication systems i.Re-engineering can be done to reduce interference in the direction of the radio astronomy instrument ii.Alternative technologies can be usable

June 2007 CHAPTER 3:MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF CENTRAL AND CORE ASTRONOMY ADVANTAGE AREA Management Authorities (Section 15) Minister must declare the assignment of the management of core astronomy advantage area to a suitable person/organization or organ of state Restrictions in core astronomy advantage area Declared activities in a core or central astronomy advantage area Authorization to undertake identified activities

June 2007 CHAPTER 4: GENERAL MEASURES TO PROMOTE ASTRONOMY Astronomy and Astronomy devices International agreements regarding astronomy and related scientific endeavors National Standards for control of activities which may be detrimental to astronomy.

June 2007 CHAPTER 5- Acquisition of rights in or to land CHAPTER6- Consultation and public participation CHAPTER 7- Powers and functions of the NRF CHAPTER 8- Offences and penalties