The Department of Communications (DoC) on Friday unveiled its strategic plan for 2011 to 2014, which promises a “new wave of change” through a six-point turnaround strategy.

The DoC would focus on stabilising the public entities within the portfolio, reconstructing and developing the DoC, and forging partnerships with the private sector, academia, civil society organisations and labour.

It further set out to build an integrated national broadband plan, a people-centred, inclusive information society and a knowledge-based economy, as well as develop major projects such as an e-skills institute, information and communication technologies (ICTs) and rural development.

Other projects included the corporatisation of the Postbank, the e-Connectivity and 2010 Legacy projects, the local and digital content development strategy and international relations.

The DoC reported that these six “pillars” were intended to establish a new platform, creating the necessary wave of change that would lead the Ministry and department to realise its vision of being “a global leader in the development and use of ICTs for socioeconomic development and the betterment of people’s lives”.

In its efforts to contribute to creating conditions for accelerated and shared growth in South Africa, the DoC aimed to ensure the approval of the integrated ICT policy framework, enact the South African Post Office bill into law and introduce the Public Service Broadcasting bill to Parliament.

The DoC would also focus on supporting and enabling the provision of multiplicity of ICT applications and service through facilitating the modernisation and deployment of infrastructure.

“In so doing, the DoC will facilitate the roll-out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Plan so as to ensure the optimal use of all World Cup related ICT infrastructure.”

Further, the DoC would facilitate and monitor the digital terrestrial television infrastructure roll-out to cover 80% of the population by the end of the 2011/12 financial year, and ensure a secure cyber environment by developing and implementing a cyber security policy.

A key priority set out in the strategic plan was the implementation of the broadcasting digital migration policy, including Cabinet approval for the scheme-for-ownership-support roll out plan, the set-top box-manufacturing sector development strategy and the local and digital content-development strategy.

The department also aimed to develop and implement a national incentive for the ICT industry to create a competitive and sustainable industry.

The strategic plan contained the DoC’s commitment to increase universal ICT access and services to ICTs, to improve spectrum use in accordance with the National Radio Spectrum policy and taking into consideration the outcome of 2010/11 validation.

In efforts to contribute to increasing the ICT skills base in South Africa and increase access, the DoC would implement an e-literacy training programme for youth offenders, as well as increase ICT skills through a network of universities, further education and training colleges and cooperate schools, through initiatives undertaken by the e-Skills Institute.

Facilitation of the growth and development of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), as well as improving their sustainability through the use of ICTs, would be prioritised through the DoC’s development of an e-Commerce platform for SMMEs.

Growth would further be facilitated through ICT business linkages, the establishment of two ICT hubs in two underserved provinces, and monitoring the implementation of the action plan to benefit SMMEs in the broadcasting digital migration value chain.

“The DoC is committed to tackling the challenges that lie ahead and deliver an intensive turnaround strategy through the implementation of its 2011-2014 strategic plan.”