Icts for the Benefit of All

34th Annual Conference Luanda, Angola 30th April – 2nd May 2014

FINAL MINUTES

ICTs for the Benefit of All Transforming our Society through Broadband and ICTs Developments

FINAL MINUTES CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS’ MEETING 2nd May 2014

54 POLICY AND STRATEGY

1. NEW PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES FROM MATTERS ARISING FROM THE 33RD ANNUAL CONFERENCE

POLICY ISSUES

1.1 NON-PARTICIPATING MEMBERS IN SATA PROGRAMMES

NOTED 1:

SATA Secretariat has been communicating with all those SATA Members who are not effectively participating in SATA Events includingAfricom Zimbabwe, Angola Telecom,Movicelof Angola, Société Congolaise des Postes et Télécommunications (SCPT) of DRC, and Telecom Malagasy (TELMA) of Madagascar.

NOTED 2:

The Société Congolaise des Postes et Télécommunications (SCPT) of the Democratic Republic of Congo is now on board and managed to send a high level delegation to attend the SATA Regional Workshop on Terrestrial Backhaul and Submarine Networks in September 2013 in Maun, Botswana.

NOTED 3:

It is through this communication that Angola Telecom accepted to host the 34 th SATA Annual Conference. Also Movicel of Angola was approached and demonstrated its commitment to honour its obligations as member and is participating in this conference.

AGREED 1:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to strongly encourage all Members to attend SATA approved and organised events.

The Chief Executive Officers considered and approved the above recommendation.

1.2 MARKETING AND BRANDING OF SATA

NOTED 4:

A Marketing and Branding Task Team chaired by Econet Telecom Lesotho was established by the SATA Chief Executive Officers at the 32nd SATA Annual Conference in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania in 2012. The members included Telkom South Africa, TTCL, TDM, MTL and Tel•One. During the 33rd SATA Annual Conference in Livingstone,

54 Zambia in 2013, it was agreed to add two more members to the Team namely ZAMTEL and Angola Telecom and the Team’s mandate was extended to 30th November 2013.

NOTED 5:

Until now, the Task Team on Marketing and Branding has not yet come up with the Branding and Marketing Strategy as directed.

AGREED 2:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to reconstitute the Team and extend its mandate to 31st March 2015.

AGREED 3:

It is further recommended that the task team be chaired by the host of the conferencewhere all members will participate and will come up with their terms of reference which shall be premised on and not limited to looking at general incentives for being a Member of SATA to attract new membership.

The Chief Executive Officers considered and approved the above recommendations.

1.3 SATA – SAPP PARTNERSHIP

NOTED 6:

SATA Secretariat was mandated by the Chief Executive Officers of SATA to formalise the relationship with Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the guidelines and partnership of sharing of infrastructure. SATA drafted the MoU and sent to SAPP Secretariat in August 2013.

NOTED 7:

The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) is to provide their comments and responseto the Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

AGREED 4:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to extend the Secretariat’s mandate to continue negotiating with Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) on infrastructure sharing for backbone capacity and access, and finalise the Memorandum of Understanding during the financial year 2014/2015.

AGREED 5:

54 It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that SATA Secretariat should participate in the next SAPP infrastructure meeting and make a presentation on the benefits of sharing capacity and get feedback regarding the signing of the MoU.

1.4 LAND – LINKED/LOCKED BACKHAUL TASK TEAM

NOTED 8:

At the 32nd SATA Conference in 2012 in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania; a Land- linked/Locked Backhaul Task Team chaired by SPTC to look at the connectivity challenges for the land-linked/locked countries to Submarine Cable Landing stations was established. The other members of this group included BTCL, TelOne, ZAMTEL, MTL,ETL,TTCL, Telecom Namibia, Telkom South Africa and TDM.

NOTED 9:

The Backhaul Task Team has not yet developed the Guidelines on Land-linked countries’ connectivity to the submarine cable landing stations.

NOTED 10:

At their meeting in May 2013 in Maseru, Lesotho, the SADC ICTs Ministers directed the SADC Secretariat in conjunction with SATA and CRASA to work on the development of Guidelines on Access to Submarine Cables by the Land-linked (formerly called landlocked) countries. The Ministers urged the SADC Secretariat to make sure that the Guidelines are ready for approval at their next meeting in May/June 2014.

AGREED 6:

As the mandate to work on the development of the Guidelines on Land-linked countries’ connectivity to the submarine cable landing stations is now with the SADC Secretariat and its Institutions, it is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to dissolve the Land-linked Backhaul Task Team and its mandate with immediate effect.

AGREED 7:

It is also recommended to the Chief Executive Officersto urge the SATA Secretariat to fully be involved in the development of the Guidelines on Land-linked countries’ connectivity to the submarine cable landing stations as directed by the Ministers.

AGREED 8:

54 It is further recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that upon completion, submission to the Ministers and approval of the Guidelines for the Land-linked countries’ connectivity to the submarine cable landing stations, the SATA Secretariat shouldcirculate the approved Guidelines to the SATA Members.

1.5 SATA – SAPOA MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

NOTED 11:

The aim of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to jointly promote initiatives for the development programmes serving both SATA and SAPOA and their members within the scope pertaining to the activities of the two Parties. This MoU further seeks to promote and develop collaborative training programmes run by SATA and SAPOA within their areas of competences.

NOTED 12:

The Southern African Postal Operators Association (SAPOA) is a Regional Association of postal operators and couriers in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The main objective of SAPOA is to coordinate the development of the Postal Sector. The headquarters of SAPOA is in Pretoria, South Africa.

NOTED 13:

Considering the historical background of Posts and Telecommunications that they have been a tool of the utmost importance in both the electronic and physical communication between peoples and the development of societies within the atmosphere of not only progress but also their well-being, the two parties decided that there was need to have a guiding document on cooperation. The MoU was signed in August 2013.

AGREED 9:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to commend SATA Secretariat for this realisation and urge it to observe the terms of the SATA – SAPOA Memorandum of Understanding and implement them accordingly.

1.6 ICT TECHNOLOGY PARK PROJECT

NOTED 14:

54 During the 33rd SATA Conference in Livingstone, Zambia in 2013, the Chief Executive Officers approved the establishment and construction of a SATA ICT Technology Park. Also at the same venue, it was agreed that a Task Team be appointed to spearhead this project. However, the Task Team has not yet had been appointed.

AGREED 10:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to appoint a task team comprising of one representative from each of the SATA Member Operators to spearhead this proposal following a phased growth plan taking into account existing or planned national ICTs Parks. The task team will be chaired by the host of this Annual Conference.

2. NEW PROGRAMMES AND ACTITIVIES FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2013/2014– POLICY ISSUES

These new programmes are the outcomes of the Annual Action Plan for the year 2013/2014 as approved by the Chief Executive Officers of SATA. The Outcomes, Action Plan and Recommendations are drawn from the discussions of the various sessions as well as documents, presentations and contributions made during the plenary sessions of the meetings and workshops.

2.1 SADC MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS, POSTAL AND INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES MEETING

The objective of this meeting of ministers is to consider, note and make common decisions on matters pertaining to telecommunications, information and communication technologies and postal services in the SADC Region as presented by SADC Senior Officialscompiled from reports by SADC Secretariat and SADC Specialised Institutions namely SATA, CRASA and SAPOA.

NOTED 15:

2.1.1 The meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for telecommunications, postal and information and communication technologies (ICTs) took place at Lesotho Sun Hotel in Maseru, Lesotho from 20th – 24th May 2013.

NOTED 16:

2.1.2 Opening Remarks were given by the Chairman of the National Communications Regulatory Body of Mozambique (INCM) and the Director of Infrastructure and Services of the SADC Secretariat.

54 2.1.3 Following the opening remarks, the meeting of the Senior Officials was officially opened by the acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology of the Government of Lesotho.

2.1.4 Following the official opening, a Vote of Thanks was given by Malawi, the DeputyChairperson of SADC.

NOTED 17:

2.1.5 The meeting of ministers was preceded by a three day meeting of SADC Senior Officials who went through and discussed the draft annotated agenda submitted by the SADC Secretariat. The final Annotated Agenda was prepared and submitted to the Ministers for their noting, consideration and decision making.

2.1.6 The SADC Senior Officials comprise of experts from Member States drawn from the sector ministry and national regulatory bodies and SADC Policy and Infrastructure Implementing Agencies/Institutions namely SATA, CRASA and SAPOA.

2.1.7 In line with the decision of Council relating to the Institutional Structures to implement the SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP) and the Ministers’ decisions, the SADC ICTs SCOM will be structured to review and monitor the implementation of the ICTs Short Term Action Plan (STAP) and report to the Ministers on the progress made. As such the SADC ICTs SCOM would meet twice a year.

NOTED 18:

2.1.8 The meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for Telecommunications, Postal and ICTs was officially opened by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Science and Technology of the Government of Lesotho.

2.1.9 Salient issues submitted to the meetingand discussed by the SADC ICTs Ministers included:

2.1.9.1 SADC Framework for Home and Away Roaming; 2.1.9.2 Spectrum, Radio Planning, Management and Allocation; 2.1.9.3 Review of SADC Frequency Allocation Plan; 2.1.9.4 Frequency Spectrum for Mobile and Fixed Broadband Services; 2.1.9.5 Status of Implementation of the SADC Digital Broadcasting Migration; 2.1.9.6 SADC Digital TV Bouquet Channel; 2.1.9.7 SADC Harmonised Cyber-Security Legal Frame; 2.1.9.8 SADC Region Information Infrastructure (SRII) Project; 2.1.9.9 SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP)-ICTs Chapter; 2.1.9.10 Digital Connecting SADC Broadband Investment Facility (DCSBIF);

54 2.1.9.11 Establishment of the SADC Conformity and Interoperability Test Centre; and 2.1.9.12 SADC Regional Postal Services Development.

NOTED 19:

2.1.10 The SADC Guidelines on Transparency in the implementation of the SADC Home and Away Roaming Project were endorsed by the ministers at this meeting.

2.1.11 Regarding facilitation of migration to Digital Terrestrial Transmission (DTT) the Ministers approved the setting up of a Project Management Office (PMO) whose experts are seconded from Angola, Botswana and South Africa. The funding is provided by these seconding Member States. The PMO will exist until December 2015 for the purpose of advising, monitoring, evaluation, coordination and reporting.

NOTED 20:

2.1.12 The Ministers further approved the setting up of SADC ICTs Observatory which will be supported financially by UNECA. The Ministers also approved the Terms of Reference pertaining to the establishment of this Unit.

2.1.13 The Ministers directed the SADC Secretariat in conjunction with SATA and CRASA to work on the development of Guidelines on Access to Submarine Cable Landing Stations by the Land-linked (formerly called landlocked) countries. The Ministers urged the SADC Secretariat to make sure that the Guidelines are ready for approval at their next meeting in May/June 2014.

NOTED 21:

2.1.14 An extraordinary meeting of SADC ICTs Ministers was held in November 2013 to discuss on salient issues including affordability of ICTs infrastructure and services. The extraordinary meeting was held back-to-back with the SADC Postal Strategy Conference in 2013 in South Africa.

NOTED 22:

2.1.15 The Ministers observed with concerns on open ended “good” initiatives and directed the SADC Secretariat to ensure that all initiatives are given a milestone i.e. implementation timeframe.

NOTED 23:

2.1.16 The Ministers approved the setting up of Digital Connecting SADC Broadband Investment Facility (DCSBIF).

54 NOTED 24:

2.1.17 The next meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for telecommunications, postal and ICTs will take place in Malawi in May/June 2014 at the kind invitation of the Government of Malawi.

AGREED 11:

The Chief Executive Officers are invited to note and urge the SATA Secretariat to make a follow up in the interest of its members on the processes and outcomes of the SADC Guidelines on Transparency in the implementation of the SADC Home and Away Roaming Project as endorsed by the Ministers in Maseru in May 2013.

AGREED12:

It is further recommended to the Chief Executive Officersto note and urge SATA Secretariat and the whole membership to ensure that all actionable items are given an implementation timeframe as directed by the Ministers in Maseru in May 2013.

AGREED 13:

It is also recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA Members that those people appointed to implement the various tasks and action items do so and deliver the required outcomes within the timeframe of the action item.

AGREED 14:

It is further recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to commend SATA Secretariat on its contribution made to the Ministers’ meeting and urge the Secretariat to continue attending these meetings and making contributions as and when necessary in the interest of its members.

The Chief Executive Officers considered and approved the above recommendations

2.2 THE SADC COORDINATION MEETING FOR THE GENEVA AGREEMENT OF 2006 (GE06) ON FREQUENCY PLAN MODIFICATION

Objectives:

(a) Review the Status of the GE06 Digital Frequency Coordination in Member States, (b) Undertake GE06 frequency coordination meetings with neighbouring countries,

54 (c) Finalise the Official Notices for the GE06 Frequency Plan Modifications.

NOTED 25:

2.2.1 The SADC Coordination Meeting for the Geneva Agreement of 2006 (GE06) on Frequency Plan Modification was held in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe from 17 th – 20th June 2013 under the host of Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ)

2.2.2 The meeting was attended by the SADC Member States, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), SADC Institutions responsible for ICTs namely CRASA and SATA.

2.2.3 The meeting was officially opened by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development of Zimbabwe.

2.2.4 The SADC Coordination Meeting for GE06 Frequency Plan Modification expected to achieve the following Outcomes:

2.2.4.1 Review the Status of the GE06 Digital Frequency Coordination in Member States; 2.2.4.2 Undertake GE06 frequency coordination meetings with neighbouring countries; 2.2.4.3 Finalise the Official Notices for the GE06 Frequency Plan Modifications; 2.2.4.4 Either to formally submit the Final Notices to the ITU BR during the upcoming ATU meeting in July in Nairobi, Kenya or to formally submit the Final Notices to the ITU BR at the end of this workshop; 2.2.4.5 Develop a Way Forward on this activity until the international Analogue Switch Off (ASO) deadline of 17th June 2015; 2.2.4.6 Prepare a Progress Report on the Official Notice Submission for GE06 Frequency Plan Modification; and 2.2.4.7 Prepare a Workshop Report.

NOTED 26:

2.2.5 Each SADC Member State delegation made a presentation on the progress on the GE06 Frequency Plan Coordination with its neighbouring states.

2.2.6 Most SADC Member States have adopted DVB-T and DVB-T2 technology for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Migration.

2.2.7 The GE06 Agreement came into force on 17th June 2007 and includes both assignments and allotment. The GE06 Agreement also includes analogue assignments.

NOTED 27:

54 2.2.8 The ITU Expert from Radiocommunication Bureau made the following Presentations:

2.2.8.1 ITU Procedures for the GE06 Frequency Plan Modification and Notification; and 2.2.8.2 ITU Tools for the GE06 Frequency Plan Modification and Notification.

AGREED 15:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA members to observe these adopted technologies in planning and development of networks and services.

AGREED 16:

It is further recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA members in collaboration with their National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) to be proactive and find means of minimising or eliminating any expected interferences during and after migration.

AGREED 17:

As the GE06 Agreement which came into force on 17th June 2007 includes both assignments and allotment; it is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA members to ensure a thorough understanding of these terms as applied in the GE06 and as presented by the ITU during this meeting and as noted above.

AGREED 18:

As the region migrates from analogue into digital terrestrial broadcasting there will be spectrum made available by the transition. The Chief Executive Officers are invited to take note of the released spectrum and consult the respective National Regulatory Authorities in their countries on the future use of that spectrum for broadband services.

AGREED 19:

Furthermore, it is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to take note of the international analogue switch off (ASO) to digital terrestrial transmission (DTT) broadcasting being 17th June 2015.

2.3 THE SADC PREPARATORY MEETING FOR WORLD RADIO-COMMUNICATION CONFERENCE 2015 (WRC-15)

Objective:

54 To consider the ITU Work Plan for WRC-15 with a view to providing comments reflecting SADC Member States views for the kind consideration of ATU and ITU.

NOTED28:

2.3.1 The SADC Preparatory Meeting for the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) was held in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe from 21st – 24thJune 2013 under the host of Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ).

2.3.2 The meeting was attended by the SADC Member States, SADC Telecommunications/ICTs Operators, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), SADC Institutions responsible for ICTs namely CRASA and SATA.

2.3.3 The meeting was officially opened by the Director General of POTRAZ following opening remarks from Mozambique who is the SADC Chairperson and from SADC Secretariat.

NOTED29:

2.3.4 Objectives and Expected Outcomes of this preparatory meeting included:

2.3.4.1 Take stock of the WRC-12 in terms of preparations, the conference itself and outcomes so as to learn the key lessons for the development of better strategies for future WRCs; 2.3.4.2 Undertake an overview of the implementation status of WRC-12 outcomes with a view to devising implementation mitigation measures, where necessary; 2.3.4.3 Consider the ITU Work Plan for WRC-15 with a view to providing comments reflecting SADC Member States views for the kind consideration of ATU and ITU; 2.3.4.4 Consider preliminary views on the WRC-15 Agenda Items , where possible in order to commence formulation of preliminary SADC Common Proposals in particular Agenda 1.2 where work is already at advanced stage within ITU preparatory framework; 2.3.4.5 Refine existing participation and other arrangements for enhanced and coordinated participation during RA-15 and WRC-15; and 2.3.4.6 Assign Rapporteurs to each Agenda Item to work on the necessary proposals.

NOTED 30:

2.3.5 The ITU Convention directs that the Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM)is to prepare a consolidated report to be used in support of the work of World Radiocommunication Conferences, based on:

2.3.5.1 Contributions from administrations, the Special Committee, the Radiocommunication Study Groups (see also No. 156 of the Convention), and

54 other sources (see Article 19 of the Convention) concerning the regulatory, technical, operational and procedural matters to be considered by such conferences; 2.3.5.2 The inclusion, to the extent possible, of reconciled differences in approaches as contained in the source material, or, in the case where the approaches cannot be reconciled, the inclusion of the differing views and their justification. 2.3.5.3 The assigned rapporteurs reported back their contributions to each agenda item of the WRC-15 followed by discussions and further contributions.

NOTED 31:

2.3.6 The Member States however, admitted that the contributions were still at a premature stage and more inputs were required.

2.3.7 The member States considered and adopted the SADC Preliminary Views and Proposals on WRC-15 Agenda Items.

2.3.8 The meeting also developed a SADC Roadmap for WRC-15 indicating the necessary milestones.

2.4 THE SADC REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT CONFERENCE

Objectives:

The key objectives of the event were to (i) Present the SADC RIDMP, in particular the Short Term Action Plan to all the potential investors, funders of infrastructure and key international cooperating partners; (ii) Raise awareness and brief the investment community of the scale and range of some potential priority infrastructure projects across the Region; and (iii) Facilitate direct consultations between potential investors and national project promoters.

NOTED 32:

The SADC Regional Infrastructure Investment Conference was held at Joachim Chissano International Conference Center, in Maputo Mozambique on 27thJune 2013. The Conference was held under the theme: “Accelerating Investment in SADC Infrastructure through Sustainable and Innovative Financing”.

NOTED 33:

The Conference noted that the Master Plan was based on Vision 2027 which would be implemented in three phases, the short term (2013-2017), the medium term (2017-2022), and the long term (2022-2027) and was aligned to the Programme for

54 Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), as well as the COMESA-EAC-SADC Inter-Regional Infrastructure Master Plan.

NOTED 34:

The Conference was organised and hosted by the Government of Mozambique, with the coordination and facilitation of the SADC Secretariat and support of Trademark Southern Africa. The Conference was officially opened by His Excellency, Armando Emilio Guebuza, President of Mozambique, and Chairperson of SADC and was attended by Ministers and Senior Officials from SADC Member States (Infrastructure and Finance), Heads of Continental and Regional Organisations, International Cooperating Partners, business organisations, investors, and business people with an interest in Southern Africa.

NOTED 35:

The Conference was organised into two main sessions. First, a High Level Round Table (comprising a panel of Ministers, the Secretariat, representatives of Private Sector and Business as well as Development Finance Institutions); country round tables; and Ministerial and Investors breakout sessions on different infrastructure sectors. The high level round table discussed the following thematic issues:

(i) Private Sector Perspective on Investment in Power, Railways and Highways;

(ii) Development of Efficient, Seamless Corridors and Border Post Operations;

(iii) Addressing Poverty through Scaling up Water Infrastructure Investment; and

(iv) The SADC Enabling Environment and Financing of Infrastructure Projects including the Role of Development of Finance Institutions in Infrastructure Financing.

The Ministerial and investors breakout sessions discussed specific projects in the following sectors:

(a) Energy and Water;

(b) Surface Transport; and

(c) ICT, Meteorology and Tourism.

NOTED 36:

The Conference noted with interest and appreciation that the SADC Region:

54 i. Has built consensus on projects that should be implemented as regional priority projects, as elaborated by the Master Plan, which was developed through a broad based stakeholder consultative process; ii. Is willing and prepared to engage with the private sector, regional and international financiers, investors and cooperating partners, and that there is clarity in terms of which projects the region has agreed to jointly resource mobilise for and implement; iii. Has agreed that implementation of regional infrastructure priority projects shall be based on the agreed five-year Short Term Action Plan of the Master Plan, in the areas of Energy, Transport Corridors, Water, ICT, Meteorology and Tourism, with an estimated cost of USD 65 billion; iv. Recognizes the need to facilitate the creation of an appropriate enabling environment, in order to create an amenable framework for investment. This process is accomplished through the provisions of the relevant protocols signed during the 1990s and the process was taken further through the relevant annexes to the protocols that facilitated the harmonisation and domestication of policies, regulatory and legislative frameworks and relevant procedures to underpin investment by the private sector and other financiers; v. Expects to build quality infrastructure which will have sustainable lifespans in line with internationally adopted standards and will ensure that adequate capacity is developed in the region to ensure that proper supervision and subsequent operations and maintenance of the infrastructure is realized.

NOTED 37:

The partners and investors also noted with appreciation the demonstrated commitment at the highest level in SADC to the implementation of the Projects as contained in the Master Plan and the willingness of SADC to contribute own resources to implement the various initiatives.

WAY FORWARD i. SADC Member States, supported accordingly by the Secretariat, to follow-up with potential financiers, investors and partners for the financing of the projects presented during the Conference; ii. The Secretariat should continue to raise awareness on the Master Plan and the portfolio of projects;

54 iii. SADC, with the support of partners, should facilitate capacity building at national and regional level to ensure that projects are adequately prepared and packaged to bankability;

iv. Member States and partners should work together in developing financing modalities for the delivery of the priority projects in the Short Term Action Plan (STAP);

v. SADC and partners should develop integrated solutions and establish institutions to implement the identified projects;

vi. The outcome of the event was presented to the SADC Summit held in Malawi in August 2013 for their information and further guidance;

vii. A follow-up mechanism should be developed and incorporated into the annual planning cycle of the SADC Secretariat to monitor and report on progress on the STAP

The Conference was held in a frank, cordial and open atmosphere, which provided for fruitful discussions and reinforced the sense of partnership between the SADC Region and partners for the implementation of infrastructure projects in the region.

AGREED 20:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officersto urge the SATA Secretariat to monitor and report annually on progress of the implementation of the SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP) short term action plan (STAP).

2.5 SATA – SACF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Objective:

The purpose of this MoU is to strengthen and coordinate the respective efforts that promote mutual benefits and understanding of each party through exchange of regular visit programs, conference and meetings.

NOTED38:

54 This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes a type of partnership betweenSATA and South African Communications Forum (SACF) where all South African operators are all Members and SATA would like through this partnership to solicit for those who are not direct SATA Members to join SATA.

NOTED39:

Together, SATA and SACF entered into this Memorandum of Understanding to mutually promote and ensure further growth in the telecommunications industry and explore strategic alternatives to build desirable partnership between them. The MoU was signed in August 2013.

AGREED 21:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to commend SATA Secretariat on getting the South African Communications Forum (SACF) on board as a regional partner and urge both parties to implement the agreements as stipulated in the memorandum of understanding.

2.6 THE SADC POSTAL STRATEGY STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE

Objectives:

(a) Understanding of the differences in strategies towards innovation that exist within the postal sector; (b) Identification of the main barriers to innovation; and (c) Identification of possible enablers of innovation.

NOTED 40:

2.6.1 The SADC Postal Strategy Stakeholder Consultative Conference took place from 28th – 29th August 2013 at Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC) in Gaborone, Botswana.

2.6.2 Coordinated by the SADC Secretariat, the Conference was hosted by the Government of Botswana in partnership of Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), Botswana Post and Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA).

2.6.3 The Conference was officially opened by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Government of Botswana.

2.6.4 The Objectives of the Conference included:

54 2.6.4.1 Understanding of the differences in strategies towards innovation that exist within the postal sector; 2.6.4.2 Identification of the main barriers to innovation; and 2.6.4.3 Identification of possible enablers of innovation

NOTED 41:

2.6.5 The SATA Secretariat was invited by the SADC Secretariat to participate and make a presentation on how Postal Operators can benefit by making use of the ICTs and its associated services.

NOTED42:

SATA and Southern African Postal Operators’ Association (SAPOA) have a standing Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation on matters related to ICTs and Postal Services.

AGREED 22:

The Chief Executive Officers are invited to note and commend the SATA Secretariat for participating in this postal forum and making contributions as part of implementation of the SATA-SAPOA memorandum of understanding on cooperation.

2.7 THE 14TH FORUM ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS/ICTs REGULATION AND PARTNERSHIP IN AFRICA (FTRA-2013)

Objective:

To discuss and deliberate on the role of stakeholders and foreign direct investment (FDI) in boosting the development of broadband, the necessary reform to adapt universal service in a broadband environment, the types of partnerships to finance broadband and the economic impact of broadband in Developing Countries.

NOTED 43:

2.7.1 Convened by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the African Telecommunication Union (ATU) and hosted by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe the 14th Forum on Telecommunication/ICT Regulation and Partnership in Africa (FTRA 2013), was held at the Elephant Hills Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from 3rd to 6th September 2013. The theme for the event this year was:

54 “Development of broadband and Investments required tosupportsustained growth”.

2.7.2 The theme for this year’s forum was selected on the basis of proposals made by participants during the 13th FTRA, held in Libreville (Gabon), in June 2012.

2.7.3 The forum was organized by the ITU in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe in partnership with the African Telecommunications Regulators’ Network and the African Regional Working Party on private sector issues. The Working Party on Private Sector meeting took place on the 3rd September and the FTRA from 4th to 6th September 2013.

2.7.4 The meeting on the Regional Working Party (RWP) on Private Sector Issues discussed and exchanged experiences and views on:

2.7.4.1 The challenges faced by the private sector in meeting the Quality of Services and Quality of Experience demands, and to appreciate the consumers’ perspectives and regulators’ roles and responsibilities. 2.7.4.2 The digital dividend and its use for the development of broadband in Africa, the challenges, opportunities and strategies that could better serve the continent. 2.7.4.3 The current costs of broadband services in Africa compared with other parts of the world and how to address the costs of delivering international bandwidth to Africa and in particular how to bring it at a level affordable to the majority of the African population. 2.7.4.4 The best practices internationally and in Africa in particular on Public-Private- Partnerships (PPPs).

NOTED 44:

2.7.5 Opening Remarks for FTRA were received from the Acting Director General of Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, current Chairman of FTRA and Chairman of the Regulatory Body of Gabon ARCEP, the Secretary General of ATU and from the Director of ITU/BDT. The FTRA meeting was then officially opened by the Permanent Secretary for Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

2.7.6 Participation in FTRA is always open to ITU Member States and ITU-D Sector Members, regional and sub-regional regulators’ associations, telecommunication/ICTs operators, financial and developmental institutions and regional and sub-regional organizations.

2.7.7 The topics for discussion this year included the role of stakeholders and foreign direct investment (FDI) in boosting the development of broadband, the necessary reform to adapt universal service in a broadband environment, the types of

54 partnerships to finance broadband and the economic impact of broadband in Developing Countries.

AGREED 23:

As FTRA-2013 encourages the Regulators to explore the potential of “White Spaces” for affordable rural broadband and establish a policy and regulatory framework, it is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to equally encourage SATA members to make a close follow up with their NRAs on the sharing and applicability of these “White Spaces”.

AGREED 24:

The Chief Executive Officers are invited to take note that Regulators have been urged to establish a monitoring system for Quality of Service and Quality of Experience with parameters defined in consultation with the operators and consumers and thus it is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA members to collaborate with their NRAs in providing the correct, relevant and measurable parameters in this regard.

AGREED 25:

The Chief Executive Officers are invited to note the recommendation by FTRA-2013 that everybody should have access to broadband and benefit from it.

AGREED 26:

The Chief Executive Officers are invited to note that FTRA-2013 recommends that a mechanism for consulting and agreeing on a suitable benchmark be initiated, to adopt at a regional level a minimum baseline definition of Broadband.

NOTED45:

During the 32nd SATA Annual Conference held in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, a team of experts from Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited, Telecomunicaões de Mozambique and Telkom South Africa was appointed to constitute a group and work on Broadband issues including minimum baseline definition of broadband for recommendation to the Members.

AGREED 27:

54 Based on the NOTED above and in line with the recommendation by FTRA-2013 on regional broadband, it is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to extend the work of this regional broadband activity and include all interested experts from the other members and coordinated by SATA Secretariat to come up with a recommendation in the form of a concept paper on the minimum baseline definition of broadband by 31st August 2014 for submission to FTRA-2014 as a regional contribution to the debate.

AGREED 28:

It is further recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA members and SATA Secretariat to attend FTRA and contribute to the debate on issues of regulations governing the industry. The FTRA-2014 will be held in Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire).

2.8 THE 19THNEPAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT PREPARATION FACLITY (NEPAD – IPPF) SPECIAL FUND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING

Objective:

The NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF) Special Fund aims to assist African countries, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), specialized agencies and related institutions by providing grant resources for:

(i) Preparing high quality and viable regional/continental infrastructure projects with a view to requesting financing from public and private sources; (ii) Developing a consensus and partnership for project implementation; and (iii) Promoting infrastructure projects and programs aimed at enhancing regional integration and trade.

NOTED 46:

2.8.1 The 19th NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF) oversight committee co -organized by the African Development Bank and the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom hosted by the East African Community (EAC) at the East African Community headquarters in Arusha,Tanzania took place from 11th – 12 November 2013.

2.8.2 The meeting brought together representatives of Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Development and Cooperating Partners to discuss among others improvements in the procurement processes, reporting formats, prioritization of

54 projects, fast-tracked disbursements of the committed funds, capacity building across stakeholders, the strategy for resource mobilization and communications.

2.8.3 The IPPF directly contributes to the objectives of the Medium Term Strategy (MTS), Regional Integration Strategy which retained regional infrastructure as a strategic priority sector. In addition, the regional focus of the NEPAD-IPPF makes it a key contributor to regional integration by interconnecting the infrastructure of countries and regions of Africa.

2.8.4 The NEPAD-IPPF supports regional infrastructure development projects in the following sectors: transport, energy, ICTs, and water resources management.

2.8.5 The activities eligible for financing under the Fund are:

 Prefeasibility studies;  Feasibility studies;  Project structuring;  Capacity building for infrastructure development; and  Facilitation and creation of an enabling environment for regional infrastructure development.

2.8.6 Sixty one (61) participants, representing 20 non-regional and regional stakeholders, attended the meeting.

2.8.7 The key issues of the meeting were:  PIDA PAP prioritisation and implementation progress from REC’s;

 Achievements and portfolio performance of NEPAD-IPPF in 2013;

 2014 Work Program harmonization and general outlook for NEPAD-IPPF;

 Identifying disbursement bottlenecks with a view to increase the rate of disbursements;;

 Financial Status of NEPAD-IPPF and perspectives of ramping up efforts at resource mobilization, domestic and from other sources ;

 Internal structure of NEPAD-IPPF (management, staffing and organisational issues)

 State of development of the "Africa 50" fund and consequences emanating from the realization of the fund for NEPAD-IPPF.“Africa 50” is paid in capital of 3 billion USD, committed capital of 7 billion USD and project development vehicle of 50 billion USD and expected to start in early 2014.

54 AGREED 29:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA Secretary to keep track on the implementation of the 2014 NEPAD – IPPF Work Program including the Funding Plan for “Africa 50” Program and how the region can benefit.

AGREED 30:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA members and Partners to contact the local representatives of African Development Bank and be advised on the conditions and how to access the available funding windows on project preparation facilities and projects implementation.

2.9 THE REGIONAL ALLIANCE TASK TEAM MEETING FOR SADC HOME AND AWAY ROAMING

Objective:

The objective of this project is to look into the avoidance of excessive international roaming charges within SADC. The Regional Alliance Task Team (RATT)is to investigate mechanisms of reducing the high cost of international roaming in the SADC region.

NOTED 47:

The Meeting of the Regional Alliance Task Team (RATT) on SADC Home and Away Roaming (SHAR) Project took place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 11th – 12th December 2013 under the host of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).

The meeting deliberated on various issues including a collection of data from three selected countries for the second phase of the implementation of this regional project.

2.10 THE 8TH SATA WORKSHOP ON HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

Objective:

To discuss and exchange knowledge on how organisations invest in their human capital, ethically manage knowledge, and measure the development process against their bottom line. Also to enable participants to both diagnose complex strategic challenges facing HCD professionals and develop innovative solutions to those challenges.

54 NOTED 48:

2.10.1 The 8th SATA Workshop on Human Capital Development (HCD) took place from 27 th – 29th November 2013 in Lilongwe, Malawi under the auspices of Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL).

NOTED 49:

2.10.2 Attendance

2.10.2.1 Operators: SATA Secretariat, Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL), Telecom Namibia (TN), Mauritius Telecom (MT), Zambia Telecommunications Limited (ZAMTEL), Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC) and Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL).

2.10.2.2 Academia: University of Malawi, Lilongwe University of Natural Resources and Mzuzu University.

2.10.2.3 Industry: Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corporation.

2.10.2.4 Others: Governmental Institutions and Non-Governmental Organisations and Industries from Malawi.

2.10.2.5 Government Officials: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), Malawi Revenue Authority, Press Corporation, Reserve Bank, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information.

NOTED 50:

2.10.3 Opening Ceremony

2.10.3.1 Opening remarks were received from the SATA Executive Secretary, Chairman of SATA Human Capital Development Sub-Committee, the Chief Executive Officer of MACRA, and the Chief Executive Officer of MTL.

2.10.3.2 The Workshop was then officially opened by the Honourable Minister of Information of Malawi.

NOTED 51:

2.10.4 Presentations and Contributions

Following the official opening, the workshop received presentations from various experts which were discussed and came up with the following observations and recommendations.

54 NOTED 52:

2.10.5 Observations, Challenges and Business Opportunities

2.10.5.1 There is a floor to cost reduction but no ceiling to value creation.

2.10.5.2 What we focus on becomes a reality.

2.10.5.3 People leave people; they do not leave their organisations.

2.10.5.4 The true challenge for any leader is a human capital challenge.

2.10.5.5 There is lack of capacity to handle e-based teaching and learning.

2.10.5.6 There is limitation on ICTs infrastructure in the Region presenting low internet bandwidth.

2.10.5.7 Demographic changes: an aging workforce along with increasing diversity is forcing organizations to fight a “war for talent”.

2.10.5.8 Only two SATA Members apply “Competency Grid” process in their organisations.

AGREED 31:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA Members to find other key areas of leveraging for increased profitsand cost cutting and not affect the budgets for training and employee development as this may result in unnecessary spending or costs due to lack of adequate knowledge and skill developments.

AGREED 32:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA Members to embrace and promote e-learningthrough ICTs.

AGREED 33:

It is also recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA Members to complete the Form on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and submit the data to the SATA Secretariat for compilation and submission of the compiled data for discussion during the 9th SATA Human Capital Development and e-learning Workshop.

AGREED 34:

54 As knowledge, innovation, and collaboration are some of the key drivers of growth, it is further recommended to the Chief Executive Officers tourge SATA Member organisations to recognise that the primary sources of success are things that reside within their people, the employees and take advantage of them.

AGREED 35:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the 9th SATA Workshop on Human Capital Development and e-learningbe held in Botswana from 10th – 12th September 2014 hosted by Botswana Fibre Network (BOFINET).

2.11 THE AFRICAN UNION – SADC WORKSHOP ON REGIONAL INTERNET CARRIERS AND EXCHANGE POINTS

Objective :

The African Internet Exchange System (AXIS) project aims to keep Africa’s Internet traffic local to the Continent by supporting the establishment of National Internet Exchange Points (NIXPs) and Regional Internet Exchange Points (RIXPs) in Africa.

NOTED 53:

2.11.1 As part of the implementation of the African Internet Exchange System (AXIS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) organised a Regional Workshop on Best Practices and Benefits of setting up of Regional Internet Exchange Points (RIXPs) and Regional Internet Carriers (RICs).

2.11.2 The African Union – SADC Workshop on Regional Internet Carriers and Regional Internet Exchange Points took place from 3rd – 7th February 2014 in Gaborone, Botswana under the auspices of Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA).

2.11.3 The participants to the workshop included representatives from SADC Member States, SADC Sector Institutions and experts from Internet Society and African Union Commission.

2.11.4 The Internet Society was contracted to facilitate the Workshop.

2.11.5 Draft Request for Proposals (RFPs) for Internet Exchange Points in Africa to be Supported to grow into Regional Internet Exchange Pointswas prepared by SADC Secretariat and sent to the Workshop participants including SATA Secretariat, for further inputs.

54 2.11.6 The SATA Secretariat provided the necessary inputs.

AGREED 36:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA Secretariat to collaborate fully with SADC and CRASA Secretariats to ensure transparency during the selection of suitable Internet Exchange Point(s) to be developed into Regional Internet Exchange Point(s).

2.12 THE 3RDCRASA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NOTED 54:

2.12.1 The 3rd Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place from 24th – 28th March 2014 at Lesotho Sun Hotel in Maseru, Lesotho under the auspices of Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA).

2.12.2 The 3rd CRASA AGM was preceded by two workshops namely “Turning the Post Office into a Force for Financial Inclusion in SADC” and “A Journey into the Global Mobile Money Ecosystem”. The two Events took place from 24th – 25th March 2014.

2.12.3 The 3rd CRASA Annual General Meeting was convened on 26th March 2014 and ended on 28th March 2014 with a break on 27th Mach 2014 as it was a National Day in Lesotho.

NOTED 55:

2.12.4 Mobile Money

2.12.4.1 While it has often been described as a money transfer product, when mobile money reaches scale it can also be seen as a network infrastructure and platform facilitating the exchange of cash and electronic value between various economic actors including clients, businesses, the government, and financial service providers. In the past, the emergence of other network infrastructures that provide new ways of moving people, goods, energy or information (canals, railroads, electricity, telecommunications, internet, etc.) has had transformative effects on the economy.

2.12.4.2 As with many other types of network infrastructure, mobile money displays the characteristics of a platform bringing together financial services providers and clients, and providing them a core functionality which they can use to transact, and which can be incorporated into different financial products.

NOTED 56:

54 2.12.5 CRASA Annual General Meeting

2.12.5.1 The Opening Remarks were given by the Chairperson of Lesotho Communications Authority, SADC Program Manager, ITU Area Representative and the CRASA Chairperson.

2.12.5.2 Following the Remarks, the 3rd CRASA Annual General Meeting was then officially opened by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Science and Technology of the Government of Lesotho.

2.12.5.3 The 3rd CRASA Annual General Meeting confirmed the appointment of new CRASA Executive Secretary Mr. Anthony Chigaazira.

2.12.5.4 The AGM received Country Reports from each of the CRASA Members.

2.12.5.5 The 4th CRASA Annual General Meeting will be held in March 2015 in Mozambique under the kind invitation of Mozambique National Institute of Communications (INCM).

2.13 ITU-T QUALITY OF SERVICE DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR ON MONITORING QUALITY OF SERVICE AND QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE

Objective:

The workshop discussed and exchanged information on Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) in terms of standardization, best practices, theory of QoS provision, etc. The technology areas covered included multimedia services, broadband/internet access networks and core/backbone networks.

NOTED 57:

2.13.1 The ITU – T Quality of Service Development Group (QSDG) Seminar on Monitoring Quality of Service and Quality of Experience took place from 14th – 16th April 2014 in Maputo, Mozambique under the auspices of Telecomunicações de Moçambique (TDM) and SATA. The Seminar was facilitated by the ITU.

NOTED 58:

2.13.2 Attendance

2.13.2.1 This event brought together experts from service providers, academia, vendors and regulators from countries around the world.

2.13.2.2 In terms of numbers, the participants were above 100.

54 NOTED 59:

Following the official opening, experts provided their presentations followed by discussions on the subject pertaining to the Quality of Service and Customer Experience.

2.13.3 Quality of Experience (QoE or QoX) is a measure of the overall level of customer satisfaction with a vendor. QoE is related to but differs from Quality of Service (QoS), which embodies the notion that hardware and software characteristics can be measured, improved and perhaps guaranteed. In contrast, QoE expresses user satisfaction both objectively and subjectively.

2.13.4 The QoE paradigm can be applied to any consumer-related business or service. It is often used in information technology and consumer electronics.

2.13.5 To some extent, QoE is user-dependent because some customers are easier to please than others. The best QoE evaluations are obtained by polling or sampling a large number of subscribers. Major factors that affect QoE include cost, reliability, efficiency, privacy, security, interface user-friendliness and user confidence. Environmental variables that can influence QoE include the user's terminal hardware (for example, hard-wired or cordless telephone set), the working environment (for example, fixed or mobile) and the importance of the application (for example, casual texting versus critical video-conference communications).

2.13.6 QoE, while not always numerically quantifiable, is the most significant single factor in a real-world evaluation of the user experience. It is in the best interest of any enterprise to maximize its user QoE.

2.13.7 One might draw an analogy: While the quality of medical care can be evaluated in many ways, the most meaningful results are how long the patients live (numerically quantifiable) and how well they feel (not quantifiable). Such factors, however broadly defined, have a profound effect on the long-term success of an enterprise.

AGREED 37:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA Members to get ITU TIES accounts through their respective national focal points so as to access ITU certain restricted documents.

2.14 ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL ISSUES

2.14.1 Audited Financial Report for the Year 2013/2014

54 NOTED 60:

The audited financial report for the year 2013/2014 was approved by the Executive Board Meeting on 10th of April 2014.

NOTED 61:

The contribution of Members is not timely and this creates a cash-flow challenge for the Secretariat in terms of discharging its mandate to meet Members’ expectations.

AGREED 38:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge all members to respond and confirm with the External Auditors the contributions and outstanding debt.

AGREED 39:

It is recommended that the Chief Executive Officers to accept the Executive Board approved audited financial statements as presented.

AGREED 40:

It is further recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the contributions from Members should be timely and effected as approved, that is during the first quarter of SATA’s financial year (April – June of each year).

AGREED 41:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to approve the establishment of a task teamchaired by the host of the Annual Conference, where all Members will participate and address issues to do with debtors, possible introduction of incentives for early membership payments and report back to Next Board meeting going to be held in July/August 2014.

2.14.2 Proposed Budget for the year 2014/2015

NOTED 62:

The proposed budget for the year 2014/2015 was presented to the Executive Board during the last Executive Board Meeting that took place on 10th April 2014.

NOTED 63:

54 The Board considered and approved the proposed budget for ratification by the Annual Conference.

AGREED 42:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the approved budget for the financial year 2014/2015 be ratified.

The Chief Executive Officers considered and approved the above recommendation

2.14.3 Contract Renewals for SATA Secretariat Staff

NOTED 64:

All employees in the Secretariat are employed on a renewable contract basis. For Regional Posts the contracts are renewable after every four years while for Local Posts, only for Mozambican Citizens, the contracts are renewable after every three years. The Chairman in consultation with the Executive Board is responsible for the contract renewal of the post of the Executive Secretary while for all the other posts, it is the responsibility of the Executive Secretary.

NOTED 65:

The Executive Board Meeting held on the 10th of April 2014 considered and approved the contract renewal for the Executive Secretary for another term of office.

AGREED 43:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the contract renewal for the Executive Secretary for another term of office be ratified.

The Chief Executive Officers considered and approved the above recommendation

TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE

3. NEW TECHNICAL PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES FROM MATTERS ARISING FROM THE 33RD SATA ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA

54 3.1TELECOMMUNICATIONS/ICTs INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES

NOTED 66:

Land-linked countries are now connected to the submarine cables on either or both the eastern and western coast of Africa under the SADC Region Information Infrastructure (SRII) Phase I Project.

NOTED 67:

The SRII Phase I Project has now been closed and the closure was approved by the 33rd SATA Chief Executive Officer’s Conference in Livingstone, Zambia. The few remaining missing links are being attended by the members on bilateral basis.

NOTED 68:

SATA is implementing SRII Phase II Project also called the SADC Regional and National Integrated Broadband Network under the Digital SADC 2027 which consists of Intelligent Networks (IN) including IP-based networks, Next Generation Networks (NGN), National and Regional Internet Exchange Points (NIXPs, RIXP) and related Billing Systems.

NOTED 69:

The Terms of Reference of the SATA Backhaul Working Group (BHWG) have been revised to extend the mandate of the Group to accommodate the implementation of SADC Regional and National Integrated Broadband Network under the Digital SADC 2027.

AGREED 44:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to approve the extension of the mandate of SATA Backhaul Working Group to cover the implementation of Digital SADC 2027 Regional and National Integrated Broadband Network.

AGREED 45:

It is further recommended to the CEOs to consider and approve the Terms of Reference extending the SATA Backhaul Working Group’s mandate.

3.2 IMPLEMENTATION OF ITU KIGALI SUMMIT GOALS 1 AND 2

NOTED 70:

Goal 1: Interconnect all African capitals and major cities with ICT broadband infrastructure and strengthen connectivity to the rest of the world by 2012. This Goal

54 has been greatly achieved at regional level with very few areas left for attention at national levels.

NOTED 71:

Goal 2: Connect African villages to broadband ICT services by 2015 and implement shared access initiatives such as community Tele-centres and village phones. This is on- going and SATA expects to achieve by its deadline.

AGREED 46:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to urge SATA members working closely with respective stakeholders implement ITU Kigali Summit Goal 2 and report progress during the Backhaul Meetings.

The CEOs considered and approved the above recommendation.

3.3HOSTING OF THE NGN TEST LABORATORY IN SADC REGION

NOTED 72:

Although Telkom South Africa accepted to host the Next Generation Networks (NGN) Test Laboratory/Centre in the SADC Region, SATA Secretariat has learned that ITU is talking to the Ministry of ICT of South Africa on this issue and Telkom is assisting in clarifying some issues related to this establishment.

AGREED 47:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to urge SATA Secretariat to make a close follow up with ITU and Telkom SA on the progress of establishing the Regional NGN Test Laboratory in South Africa. The CEOs considered and approved the above recommendation.

3.4INTEREST USER GROUP ON NETWORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

NOTED 73: The Interest User Group on Network management System which was established in 2012 under the chairmanship of Telecom Namibia has not yet reported back its findings on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and other network and service parameters. AGREED 48:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to extend the submission of the findings by this User Group to September 2014 and be presented during the

54 combined 8th African Service and Network Operations Meeting and ITU-T Service and Network Operations Conference going to be held in Tanzania.

3.5ESTABLISHMENT OF NIXPS AND RIXPS

NOTED 74: The guidelines and capacity building on the implementation of the National Internet Exchange Points (NIXPs) and the Regional Internet Exchange Points (RIXPs) as a regional activity was escalated to SADC level.

NOTED 75: The discussion during the 7th African Service and Network Operations Workshop revealed that there are many options to interconnect the National Internet Exchange Points which include peering.

NOTED 76: Furthermore, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) organised a Regional Workshop on Best Practices and Benefits of setting up of Regional Internet Exchange Points (RIXPs) and Regional Internet Carriers (RICs) that took place from 3rd – 7th February 2014 in Gaborone, Botswana.

AGREED 49: It is recommended to the CEOs to urge SATA Secretariat to workclosely with SADC Secretariat on the implementation of this regional project including attending the workshops pertaining to this project.

AGREED 50:

It is further recommended to the CEOs to urge SATA members to attend the capacity building workshops pertaining to this project.

The CEOs considered and approved the above recommendations.

3.6THE 12TH INNOVATION AFRICA DIGITAL SUMMIT

NOTED 77:

Innovation Africa Digital (IAD) Summit which was being held annually under the organization of Extensia of United Kingdom did not take place in 2013. The 12th IAD Summit for 2014 took place in Banjul, in The Gambia at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, from

54 25th – 27th March 2014 hosted by the Ministry of Information and Communications Infrastructure (MOICI) of the Gambia together with Extensia. This 12th IAD-2014 was specifically designed to support the most pressing agenda facing all the stakeholders in the development of the sector, the need to improve 'Quality of Service and Customer Experience'.

4. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SATA ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2013 – 2014

These new programmes are the outcomes of the SATA Annual Action Plan for the year 2013/2014 as approved by the Chief Executive Officers of SATA. The Outcomes, Action Plan and Recommendations are drawn from the discussions of the various sessions as well as documents, presentations and contributions made during the plenary sessions of the meetings and workshops.

4.1THE 7TH AFRICAN SERVICE AND NETWORK OPERATIONS (SNO) WORKSHOP

Objective:

The objective of this meeting was to encourage participation in the identification, development and implementation of Network and Service Management activities for Operations as well as disseminate information relating to Network and Service Management Operations techniques and procedures for new technologies. The outcomes of this regional meeting served as a Regional input to the ITU Service and Network Operations (SNO) Conference held from 21st – 24th October 2013 in Ezulwini, Swaziland

NOTED 78:

4.1.1 The 7th African Service and Network Operations (SNO) Workshop took place from 23rd – 26th July 2013 in Windhoek, Namibia under the auspices of Telecom Namibia.

NOTED 79:

4.1.2 Attendance

4.1.2.1 Operators: SATA Secretariat, Telecom Namibia, Telkom South Africa, Telecom Mozambique (TDM), Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC), Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL), TelOne of Zimbabwe, Botswana Telecommunication Corporation Limited (BTCL), Internet Technologies of Namibia, and Telecom Italia Sparkle.

4.1.2.2 Industry: ZTE Corporation, Aria Technologies, iBasis/KPN, Telrad Networks, Eirteic Consulting Africa, IBM, Business Connection, New Telco South Africa and Axesstel.

54 4.1.2.3 SATA Cooperating Partners: ITU Consultant, Ghana

4.1.2.4 Government Officials: Advisor to the Minister of Information and Communication Technology of the Republic of Namibia.

NOTED 80:

4.1.3 Presentations

Following the official opening of the workshop, presentations were received from the SATA Secretariat, SATA Membership and from the Industry from which the following Observations, Business Opportunities and Recommendations were drawn.

NOTED 81:

4.1.4 Observations and Business Opportunities

4.1.4.1 Persons assigned to various regional tasks are not positively responding or are completely failing to attend to the tasks

4.1.4.2 Suppliers and Vendors come with hidden costs which emerge later especially on maintenance and equipment/software upgrades

4.1.4.3 End-to-end service management is still a dream in Africa

4.1.4.4 It is what you do not see that sinks the ship, business too

4.1.4.5 Electronic compatibility and radiation emitted by the telecommunications equipment poses a great health risk to the users.

AGREED 51:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to urge the African Service and Network Operations group to develop a general regional framework on the establishment of quality of service-based Network Operation Centres (NOCs).

AGREED 52:

It is recommended to the CEOs to urge SATA Members to provide the necessary support including financial resources to experts appointed to participate in the regional working groups.

AGREED 53:

54 As operators migrate to NGN and other technologies there is equipment and spares that will be recovered and is reusable. It is recommended to the CEOs to urge SATA members to advise Secretariat on the availability of this equipment and spares for announcement to members

AGREED 54:

It is further recommended to the CEOs to urge the African Service and Network Operations group to invite expert(s) on “Electromagnetic Compatibility and Radiation” to make presentationsduring the combined 8th African Service and Network Operation Workshop and the ITU-T Service and Network Operation Conference.

AGREED 55:

Furthermore, it is recommended to the CEOs that the 8th African Service and Network Operations (SNO) Workshop be combined and held together with the ITU- T Service and Network Operations Conference in Tanzania from 22nd – 26th September 2014 hosted by Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL).

4.2 The 30th ITU – T Quality of Service Development Group (QSDG) Meeting

Objective:

The primary aim of the Quality of Service Development Group is to improve the quality of the international service, to the benefit of both the Customers and the Administrations in accordance with the Terms of Reference of the group.

NOTED 82:

4.2.1 The 30th ITU – T Quality of Service Development Group (QSDG) Meeting was held from 16th – 20th September 2013 in Accra, Ghana under the auspices of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and SATA as a co-host. The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications is a forum of National Telecommunications Operators in Ghana. The theme of the meeting was “Ensuring Customer Satisfaction through provision of Quality Telecommunications Services to Meet Customer Expectation and Experience”.

NOTED 83:

4.2.2 Attendance

54 4.2.2.1 The Meeting was well attended from all areas of expertise including ICTs Operators, Regulators, Manufacturers, Governments and Solutions Providers.

4.2.2.2 Participation from SATA membership included the SATA Secretariat, Botswana Telecommunication Corporation Limited, Econet Telecom Lesotho and Telecomunicações de Moçambique.

NOTED 84:

4.2.3 Contributions and Presentations

Following the official opening of the meeting, various contributions/presentations were received from the participants. Also there were parallel exhibitions by vendors. The following Observations, Business Opportunities and Recommendations are the outcomes of these presentations.

NOTED 85:

4.2.4.1 Quality of Service is the biggest challenge in the ICTs sector facing operators and service providers in the sector. As good as it may be, quality of service may not necessarily reflect the quality experienced by the end-user, the customer.

4.2.4.2 Partnership between Governments and the Private sector (PPPP) can result in serving the citizens better.

4.2.4.3 There is a shift in power from Communication Service Providers (CSP) to Customer; caused by the explosion of smart devices (handheld phones, tablets/iPads, laptops and other e-gadgets).

4.2.4.4 Next Generation Networks (NGN) and INTERNET Protocol (IP) convergence makes the networks more vulnerable than ever to security issues

4.2.4.5 Roaming customers if in great number, say attending a conference in a foreign country, may negatively affect the quality of service especially if operators of that country are not informed prior to the arrival of the visiting customers.

AGREED 56:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to urge SATA Membersto monitor and measure the end-to-end Quality of Service in their respective networks and publish the data as often as is practically possible to attain customer satisfaction and retention.

54 AGREED 57:

It is also recommended to the CEOs to urge SATA Members to implement fraud management programmes and reduce its impact on quality of service, business performance and security of their networks.

AGREED 58:

It recommended to the CEOs that SATA co-hosts the 31st ITU – T Quality of Service Development Group (QSDG) Meeting together with ASCOM and the meeting is planned to take place in November 2014 in UAE hosted by ASCOM as the sponsor.

The CEOs considered and approved the above recommendations.

4.3SATA Workshop on Regional Terrestrial Backhaul and Submarine Cable Networks

Objective:

Since 2005, when the SATA Backhaul Working Group (BHWG) was established by the Chief Executive Officers of SATA, this meeting has been taking place annually to address backhaul and cross border connectivity and connection to the undersea landing stations. The objectives of these meetings are to ensure that intra SADC voice and data/INTERNET traffic remain in the region and SADC national backbones and access networks are developed and connected to the submarine cable landing stations. All SADC Member States through the respective operators and service providers have successfully achieved some of these objectives and the meeting reviewed the progress so far and came up with new initiatives.

NOTED 86:

4.3.1 SATA Workshop on Regional Terrestrial Backhaul and Submarine Cable Networks took place in Maun, Botswana from 25th – 27th September 2013 under the auspices of Botswana Telecommunication Corporation Limited (BTCL) in collaboration with the Southern Africa Telecommunications Association (SATA) Secretariat.

NOTED 87:

4.3.2 Attendance

Attendance was drawn from SATA members, Regulators, Submarine Cable Operators and from the Industry.

54  SATA Members: Botswana Telecommunication Corporation Limited (BTCL), Telecomunicações de Moçambique (TDM), Telecom Namibia (TN), Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC), Zambia Telecommunications Limited (ZAMTEL), Broadband Infraco of South Africa, Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL), Angola Cables, Botswana Fibre Networks (BOFINET) and Société Congolaise des Postes et Télécommunications (SCPT).

 Regulators: Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA).

 Cable Administrations/Industry: SEACOM, Huawei Technologies, Orange, Ericsson, Botswana Broadcasting Services

NOTED 88:

The following Business opportunities and Recommendations are a result of the presentations made at the Workshop by the various experts.

4.3.3 Business Opportunities

4.3.3.1 Africa especially SADC Region should create local content.

4.3.3.2 There is need to collaborate by partnering with other players in the field/industry.

4.3.3.3 The economics of backhaul between countries and major cities play a big role.

4.3.3.4 The local INTERNET ecosystem is changing and thus operators should view this as an opportunity rather than a threat to their business; demand will increase and consumption will continue to grow.

NOTED 89:

4.3.3.5 Optical Transmission Technology

The optical transmission market has been growing dramatically for the last several years, driving up demand for ever high DWDM transmission rates and system capacity.

AGREED 59:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to urge SATA Members that future upgrades and deployments should be based on 40Gbits/s DWDM Technology as a minimum upgradable to 100Gbits/s for national backbones, regional and international connectivity.

54 The Chief Executive Officers considered and approved the above recommendation.

NOTED 90:

4.3.3.6 Network Operations Centres (NOCs)

A Network Operations Center rests at the heart of every telecom network or major data centre, a place to keep an eye on everything. Large organizations may operate more than one NOC, either to manage different networks or to provide geographic redundancy in the event of one site being unavailable or offline.

AGREED 60:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to encourage SATA Members to deploy Network Operations Centres using the appropriate business models unique to the organisation needs.

NOTED 91:

4.3.3.7 Wholesale – Capacity Business Model

4.3.3.7.1 Leased Model

4.3.3.7.1.1 Customers committed for a relatively short time 4.3.3.7.1.2 Relatively smaller regular payments are realized 4.3.3.7.1.3 Customers have the power to renegotiate pricing on renewal of lease 4.3.3.7.1.4 There is a higher financial risk for the supplier

4.3.3.7.2 Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) Model

4.3.3.7.2.1 Large amounts of money received upfront 4.3.3.7.2.2 Smaller payments CA&M received on a regular basis 4.3.3.7.2.3 Customers are committed for longer periods 4.3.3.7.2.4 Customers can not renegotiate the prices 4.3.3.7.2.5 Lower financial risk to supplier 4.3.3.7.2.6 Cost is about 3 years of lease price (IRU ≈ 36 x (Monthly Recurring Charge) MRC of lease) 4.3.3.7.2.7 Interconnection is expected to be required for a long periods 4.3.3.7.2.8 Recommended for Strategic interconnection 4.3.3.7.2.9 Customer has budget to do lump sum payment

AGREED 61:

54 Arising from the list of issues above pertaining to Lease and Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU), it is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to urge SATA Members to give a careful consideration on Lease versus Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) solution for each specific customer requirements.

NOTED 92:

4.3.3.8 Wholesale - Capacity Web-Based Tool

Currently the sale and purchase of capacity and interconnection involves many processes and it is proposed that the backhaul and submarine networks group develop tools to expedite the processes through a repository database and web- based tools.

AGREED 62:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to urge the Backhaul and Submarine Networks group to solicit the submarine cable operators to lead in the development of wholesale Capacity Web-based Tools to facilitate and expedite the sale and purchase of capacity.

NOTED 93:

4.3.3.9 Interconnection Through Strategic Partnership

Operators are encouraged to collaborate and continue to work together on a bilateral basis to find the best economical option of getting connected to the rest of the world through submarine cables and local PoPs.

AGREED 63:

On regional and international connectivity, it is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to urge SATA Members and Cooperating partners to provide capacity information and statistics to the Secretariat.

AGREED 64:

It is also recommended to the CEOs that the next Regional Backhaul and Submarine Networks Group Meeting be held in Zimbabwe from 27th – 29th August 2014 hosted by Tel●One.

54 4.4THE 3RD SATA WORKSHOP ON NEXT GENERATION NETWORKS AND BROADBAND SERVICES

Objective:

The objectives of this workshop are:

a. Provide both customer and provider facilitated provision to support services over wire-line and wireless broadband accesses.

b. Support the desire of customers to be able to access their services from anywhere (inherent mobility).

c. Facilitate to merge diverse network services – data (web browsing), voice, telephony, multimedia and emerging “popular” internet services such as instant messaging and presence and broadcast type services and

d. Support a flexible platform for service delivery.

NOTED 94:

4.4.1 The 3rd SATA Next Generation Networks (NGN) and Broadband Services Workshop was held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe from 9th – 11th October 2013 under the host of Tel●One, Zimbabwe. The Workshop was attended by SATA Members as well as cooperating partners and the industry.

NOTED 95:

4.4.2 Following the official opening, the workshop received presentations from various experts which were discussed and came up with observations and recommendations.

NOTED 96:

4.4.3.1 Wireless access solutions to complement fixed access of fibre and copper wire are required.

4.4.3.2 Regulators and some operators around the world are considering infrastructure sharing as a tool to promote infrastructure deployment, in particular IP backbones and broadband access networks.

4.4.3.3 Recognize the potential benefits of infrastructure sharing, whether mandatory or optional, in situations where competition and investment incentives are not

54 undermined, bearing in mind the need to safeguard competition and investment incentives.

4.4.3.4 Where there is a Road you cannot make another road.

4.4.3.5 The rise of Over-the-Top (OTT) services demands a smart response from operators.

4.4.3.6 There are many new opportunities up for grabs for those operators that can add value to the use of over-the-top (OTT) services e.g.Take advantages of Home Cloud.

4.4.3.7 People are interested in services, not networks, and it’s the companies that provide services on top of existing networks that are driving much of the innovation that we see in today’s communications market.

4.4.3.8 The popularity of the services that over-the-top (OTT) providers deliver is undeniable, and they are creating tremendous growth within the industry.

4.4.3.9 Unlike conventional operator businesses, where the services and infrastructure are linked and network operators control the value chain, OTT services are delivered without any affiliation with the network.

4.4.3.10 Customers know what they want.

4.4.3.11 IPv4 address space has been exhausted, deployment of IPv6 is “almost” mandatory.

AGREED 65:

Whilst infrastructure sharing is widely encouraged, it is recommended to the CEOs to urge SATA Members to see to it that implementation of sharing takes into account the necessity to protect the value of existing investment in infrastructures and services.

AGREED 66:

It is also recommended to the CEOs to urge SATA Members to see to it that pricing for shared facilities provides the right economic signals to market players, assistingthem in making reasonable and commercial “build-or-buy” decisions.Commercially negotiated pricing should prevail.

AGREED 67:

54 As for the Over-the-Top (OTT) players; it is recommended to the CEOs to urge the SATA Members to decide on the strategy they want to pursue into the future and that they have to be very fast in providing new innovative services.

AGREED 68:

It is further recommended to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to urge SATA Members to study and decide on the following approaches for a win-win situation with Over-the-Top (OTT) Players:

(a) Build a bespoke OTT application in-house. This offers complete control and full customisability, but at the potential expense of time-to-market and higher development costs.

(b) Buy a ready-developed OTT system, perhaps by acquiring an existing OTT player. This offers a fast solution, but integration may be complex. (c) Partner with an established OTT player. A partnership requires less capital investment from the operator, but may create a conflict over customer ownership, especially when using a co-branding model.

AGREED 69:

It is also recommended to the CEOs to urge SATA Members to review their business models on IP traffic pricing.

NOTED 97:

Due to the good attendance by the local public telecommunications and service providers, it was agreed that POTRAZ should consider organizing a similar Workshop in 2014 only for Zimbabwe and invite key stakeholders like the ITU, SATA and CRASA to take part as facilitators.

AGREED 70:

It is recommended to the CEOs that the 4th SATA Next Generation Networks (NGN) and Broadband Services Workshop be held in Zambia from 1st – 3rd October 2014 hosted by Zambia Telecommunications Limited (ZAMTEL).

4.5THE 7TH SATA WORKSHOP ON FRAUD MANAGEMENT AND REVENUE ASSURANCE

Objective:

54 The main objective of this workshop was to look at and discuss on aspects pertaining to ICTs fraudulent activities, revenue assurance and network and cyber- security issues both regionally and internationally and their impacts on revenues.

NOTED 98:

4.5.1 The 7th SATA Workshop on Fraud Management, Revenue Assurance and Network Security was held in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania from 16th – 18th October 2013 under the auspices of the Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL).

NOTED 99:

4.5.2 Attendance

4.5.2.1 Operators: SATA Secretariat, Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL), TelOne of Zimbabwe, NetOne of Zimbabwe, Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL) and Telecom Mozambique (TDM).

4.5.2.2 Industry: IDT Europe (Italy, UK) and EGPAF (Tanzania)

4.5.2.3 SATA Cooperating Partners: LSC Team representing Forum for International Irregular Network Access (FIINA)

NOTED 100:

4.5.3 Following the official opening, presentations were received from the SATA Secretariat and from SATA Membership and Cooperating Partners from which several recommendations were drawn.

NOTED 101:

4.5.4.1 National Telecommunications and ICTs Acts do not cover enough on Fraud.

4.5.4.2 Mobile Money transaction may pose risks to both the telecommunications operators and the banks in the region.

4.5.4.3 SIM box fraud takes place when individuals or organisations buy thousands of SIM cards offering free or low cost calls to mobile numbers. The SIM cards are then used to channel national or international calls away from mobile network operators and deliver them as local calls, costing operators revenues.

4.5.4.4 Technology is moving very fast so training in this regard, is an investment and not a cost. Shunning training may amount to a very large cost.

54 4.5.4.5 Due to the complexity associated with fraud and in particular telecommunications fraud; it is often under reported.

4.5.4.6 Telecommunications fraud is committed across the borders on a global scale.

4.5.4.7 Fraudsters who attack telecommunication systems, especially relating to PBX’s, do so with an intrinsic knowledge of telecommunications and an awareness that law enforcement authorities are reluctant to investigate crimes of this nature.

4.5.4.8 Criminals are known to attack telecom systems not only for financial gain but also for a host of other purposes such as funding for terrorism, revenge against ideas and restrictions of freedom as well as a means to commit other types of crime.

4.5.4.9 Investigations are often delayed because the “ownership” is not clear.

NOTED 102:

During the workshop following appointments for the SATA Fraud Management, Revenue Assurance and Network Security Group were made:

Chairman Baltazar TDM, Mozambique Vice Chair Moses Kapanga TelOne, Zimbabwe Vice Chair David Kalay TTCL, Tanzania Legal and Membership Edward Zimba MTL Malawi Intelligent and Analysis Ndaki Tito and AmanNgaga TTCL, Tanzania Advisor Luis Sousa Cardoso LSC Team Reporting John SaidiKimbe SATA

NOTED 103:

The Fraud and Management meeting takes place once a year. It was agreed during the meeting that this team must attend the meetings in accordance with the schedule. Failure to attend two consecutive meetings will result in the appointment of a new expert to take charge of the respective role.

AGREED 71:

It is recommended to the CEOs to encourage SATA Members to lobby with their respective national authorities that “Vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure and telecom fraudulent activities are treated as acts of terrorism”.

AGREED 72:

54 The workshop on Fraud Management, Revenue assurance and Network Security resolved to establish a SATA Group on “Customer Services and Billing”. The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are invited to consider and approve the establishment of the Group on Customer Services and Billing.

AGREED 73:

It is recommended to the CEOs that the 8th SATA Workshop on Fraud Management, Revenue Assurance and Network Security takes place in Lesotho from 15th – 17th October 2014 hosted by Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL).

AGREED 74:

It is further recommended to the CEOs that the 1st SATA Workshop on Customer Services and Billing takes place from 8th – 10th October 2014 in Swaziland host by Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC).

4.6 ITU – T SERVICE AND NETWORK OPERATIONS (SNO) CONFERENCE

Objective:

The Service and Network Operations group (SNO) is a specific working group which has been put in place by the International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunications Sector (ITU-T) to encourage the development and the implementation of Network and Service Management activities. ITU-T SNO is the voice of operators. Its conference takes place once every year.

NOTED 104:

4.6.1 The ITU-T Service and Network Operations (SNO) Conference took place from 21st – 24th October 2013 in Ezulwini, Swaziland under the host of Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation; and SATA as a co-host. The theme of the conference was “as a network operator; what keeps you awake at night?. Parallel with the conference, there were exhibitions by suppliers including Huawei Technologies, LGR, ZTE Corporation and 3M.

NOTED 105:

4.6.2 Attendance

4.6.2.1 The Meeting was attended by delegates from Africa, America, Asia, South Pacific and various Suppliers/Sponsors. It was also attended by officials from the Government and from the national regulatory body of Swaziland.

54 4.6.2.2 Participation from SATA membership included the Secretariat, Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation, Botswana Telecommunication Corporation Limited, Botswana Fibre Networks (BOFINET), Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited, Telkom South Africa, TelOne of Zimbabwe, Zambia Telecommunications Limited and Telecomunicações de Moçambique.

4.6.2.3 Non-SATA member operators: MTN Swaziland

4.6.2.4 The Chairman of the ITU-T SNO Group is Mr. Peter Sutherland from Telstra, Australia. The Secretary is Ms Barbara J. Taylor from USA.

4.6.2.5 In terms of numbers, the participants were around 40 people.

NOTED 106:

4.6.3 Following the official opening of the meeting, various contributions and presentations were received from the participants, discussed and resolutions drawn.

NOTED 107:

4.6.4.1 The attendance of the International Service and Network Operations (ITU-T SNO) Conference is declining irrespective of the venue of the meeting.

4.6.4.2 The attendance of the Regional Service and Network Operations Meetings e.g. African SNO and American SNO is growing.

4.6.4.3 Invitation Letters for the SNO Meeting is only sent in the English Language.

4.6.4.4 NGN environment poses great security risks.

4.6.4.5 A shift in power from CSP to customer: The explosion in the use of smartphones, tablets and laptops has established a basis for game-changing developments in the provision of communications services and a potential shift in power away from communications service providers (CSPs).

4.6.4.6 Managing service quality is key: To keep their customers satisfied and loyal, and as an alternative means of differentiating themselves from rivals, some progressive CSPs are already beginning to monitor and control end-to-end service quality and influence the consumer’s perception of their services by implementing Service Quality Management (SQM) and Customer Experience Management (CEM) processes.

54 4.6.4.7 The Service Operations Centre (SOC) is emerging as the means through which service quality is monitored and managed: The SOC monitors end-to-end service operations and takes necessary actions when service degradations and outages occur.

NOTED 108:

The delegates had a breakaway session to discuss on five salient topics comprising of the following titles and lead persons:

4.6.4.7.1 Alarm Correlation led by Mr. Wellington Ford from Botswana Telecommunication Corporation Limited. 4.6.4.7.2 Metrics led by Mr.MalaquiasMacaringue from Telecom Mozambique. 4.6.4.7.3 Security led by Mr. Joe Beaulac from Time Warner Cable, USA 4.6.4.7.4 Definition of Services led by Eng. Lawrence Nkala from TelOne, Zimbabwe. 4.6.4.7.5 Evolution led by Mr. Francis Dlamini from Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation.

NOTED 109:

The next ITU-T Service and Network Operations (SNO) conference (ITU-T SNO 2014) will be held jointly with the 8th African SNO Workshop from 22nd – 26th September 2014 in Tanzania hosted by Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL).

4.7The 14th SADC Telecom Operators’ Bilateral Meeting

Objective:

The SADC Telecom Operators’ Bilateral Meeting (STOBM) is an annual event of SATA Members whose main objective is to cement strategic and operational mutual relations in technical and commercial issues. STOBM addresses all areas of the ICTs from technical, operational, commercial, cyber security, and revenue assurance to fraud management issues. Furthermore, STOBM provides opportunities of bilateral interactions to resolving issues of mutual interest amongst SATA Members and also between SATA Members and the Industry. Also it is this forum that approves the Theme for the Annual Conference.

NOTED 110:

4.7.1 The 14th SADC Telecom Operators’ Bilateral Meeting took place from 17th – 20th February 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa under the host of Telkom South Africa.

NOTED 111:

54 4.7.2 Attendance

The 14th SADC Telecom Operators’ Bilateral Meeting (STOBM) was very well attended. The Event attracted around 100 participants from the SATA Membership, Cooperating Partners and from the Industry.

4.7.3 Approval of the Theme for the 34th SATA Annual Conference

NOTED 112:

Under this agenda item, a theme, initiated by SATA Secretariat following submission from the members, was presented by the SATA Secretariat for discussion and subsequent approval. The Theme was:

“ICTs for the Benefit of All: Transforming our Society through Broadband and ICTs Developments”.

The SATA Members unanimously approved the Theme for the 34th SATA Annual Conference as: ICTs for the Benefit of All: Transforming our Society through Broadband and ICTs Developments.

4.7.4 Date and Venue of the 15th SADC Telecom Operators’ Bilateral Meeting

NOTED 113:

In accordance with the Hosting Roster, the 15th SADC Telecom Operators’ Bilateral Meeting (STOBM-15) will be held in Mauritius under the auspices of Mauritius Telecom in February 2015.

AGREED 75:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) that the 15th SADC Telecom Operators’ Bilateral Meeting (STOBM-15) be held from 17th – 20th February 2015 in Port Louis, Mauritius under the auspices of Mauritius Telecom.

The Chief executive Officers considered and approved the above recommendation.

4.8 ITU-T Quality of Service Development Group Seminar on Monitoring Quality of Service and Quality of Experience

Objective:

The workshop discussed and exchanged information on Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) in terms of standardization, best practices, theory

54 of QoS provision, etc. The technology areas covered included multimedia services, broadband/internet access networks and core/backbone networks.

NOTED 114:

4.8.1 The ITU – T Quality of Service Development Group (QSDG) Seminar on Monitoring Quality of Service and Quality of Experience took place from 14th – 16th April 2014 in Maputo, Mozambique under the auspices of Telecomunicações de Moçambique (TDM) and SATA. The Seminar was facilitated by the ITU.

NOTED 115:

4.8.2 Attendance

4.8.2.1 This event brought together experts from service providers, academia, vendors and regulators from countries around the world.

5. UPCOMING EVENTS

NOTED 116:

The upcoming events are mainly those that are not listed in the main document.

6. ANNOUNCED UPCOMING EVENTS

6.1The 3rd ATU Digital Migration and Spectrum Policy Summit in Nairobi, Kenya 27th – 29th May 2014

6.2Meeting of the SADC Ministers responsible for ICTs and Postal in May/June/July 2014

6.3ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 20th October – 7th November 2014 in Busan, Republic of Korea

6.4Africa Com Conference in Cape Town, South Africa 11th – 13th November 2014

6.5ITU Telecom World-2014 in Doha, Qatar 7th – 10th December 2014

There are events not yet announced and are important for participation by SATA Secretariat and SATA Members.

AGREED 76:

54 It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers to urge SATA Secretariat and SATA Members to attend these international events and contribute whenever possible.

7 HOST OF THE 35THSATA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

NOTED 117:

The SATA Annual Conference is continuing to be hosted by SATA members on a rotational basis. In accordance with the Conference Hosting Roster, the host for the 35thSATA Annual Conference is Telecom Namibia.

AGREED 77:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the 35 thSATA Annual Conference be held in Namibia from 22nd – 24th April 2015 hosted by Telecom Namibia.

8 COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF SATA

AGREED 78:

It is recommended to the Chief Executive Officers that the following Members constitute the SATA Executive Board for the financial year 2014/2015

1 Chairperson Conference Host Angola Telecom Angola 2 Board Member Outgoing Chairperson Zamtel Zambia 3 Board Member Next Host of the Conference Telecom Namibia Namibia 4 Board Member Host of Secretariat TDM Mozambique 5 Board Member Elected MTL Malawi 6 Ex-Officio Executive Secretary SATA Mozambique

The Chief Executive Officers considered and approved the composition of the SATA Executive Board as per the SATA Constitution.