South Africa approves ICT Policy White Paper

After six years of discussion, the National Integrated Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Policy White Paper was approved by the Cabinet in South Africa. This White Paper introduces policy frameworks that promise to boost the digital economy and enhance digital access and affordability when it becomes a law. According to the national media, it includes key principles such as Internet openness and network neutrality, which ensures that all lawful and legal Internet traffic is treated equally, without discrimination, restriction or interference, regardless of the sender, receiver, content, device, service, or application. The Paper is also expected to facilitate measuring the digital divide, by creating local ICT statistics. The policies contained in the White Paper will guide the future amendment of applicable laws and enable the establishment of new proposed structures or institutions in line with the ambitions of the National Development Plan.