Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Communications by Engineering and Technology Unit By: Wojtek Skowronski Date: 8 October 2004

Outline of Presentation Mandate Strategic Objectives Past achievements Major Deliverables for 2004/2005 Challenges Conclusions

Mandate Constitution Telecommunications Act Broadcasting Act IBA Act ICASA Act Interception and Monitoring Act Ministerial Policy Directives International Agreements

Strategic Objectives Orderly and practical utilization of a scarce national natural resource – Frequency Spectrum including:  Planning  Migration  Management  Licensing Monitoring and Enforcement of radio frequency licence conditions including:  Monitoring of usage  Resolution of interference  Investigations of unauthorized usage

Past achievements Spectrum Planning and Management Project Spectra – Broadcasting Spectrum management software Review equipment specifications SABRE revision – SATFA Publication of BC annual frequency plan Spectrum licensing, licences issued International coordination and liaisons WRC preparation and participation ITU registration of FM/TV/AM assignments Regional TRASA cooperation initiatives Regional standardization

Past Achievements Spectrum Monitoring Provision of the national infrastructure Performance of monitoring tasks proactively and on demand Monitoring reports Support for the SKA bid Enforcement Inspections and audits Collection of outstanding licence fees Regional TRASA cooperation initiatives Cross-border issues

Past Achievements Six regional offices conduct frequency spectrum monitoring Interference investigations Licence administration, inspection and audits The Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town offices perform maritime surveys Bloemfontein region actively involved in work related to the cross-border agreement with LTA dealing with the cases of GSM signal spillovers

Past Achievements Bloemfontein office involved with planning and conducting of terrestrial interference surveys for the SKA bid Survey reports on

Past Achievements Installation of fixed Direction Finding (DF) Monitoring Units Project involves the deployment of four units purchased from Protea Electronics. First DF unit was installed at Linksfield Ridge. The remaining units have been installed in Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.

Past Achievements Focused and aligned for delivery unit Operations within limited budget 80% of management are HDIs Most projects on time and within budget

Major Deliverables for 2004/2005 Completion of Project Spectra Review equipment specifications Publication of BC annual frequency plan Spectrum licensing/fees regulation WRC preparation & participation Spectrum for 3G and Digital broadcasting

Challenges ITU Registration of frequency assignment TRASA projects 800 MHz sharing study Identification of 3G spectrum Migration to digital Alignment for Convergence Act

Challenges GSM signal jammers – located and seized, Illegal cordless phones interfering on SANDF and SAPS frequencies – confiscated, Illegal radio receivers, used by tow truck operators and abalone poachers and smugglers to intercept SAPS voice communications – confiscated,

Challenges Illegal broadcasting transmitters – identified and closed down or confiscated, Joint operations of the Central monitoring and the Johannesburg Region – closed down Radio Roepstem, Radio Triompf, Radio Teks FM and LM Radio (Kriel), Unlicensed provision of IP networks in the 2.4 GHz band – transgressors identified and cases opened with the SAPS,

Challenges Spurious emissions from faulty RF equipment causing interference – identified and rectified by the operators. Use of equipment in excess of numbers licensed – identified by licensees’ audits and corrected through revised licenses and fees.

Planned Projects TRASA projects Spectrum fees regulation Identification of 3G spectrum 800 MHz sharing study ? SKA ?

Conclusion Engineering and Technology is an essential support function for the Regulator Basic infrastructure in place, however needs continuous upkeep funding Human resource development and retention critical Thank you for your time and attention