Members of the public can now make contributions to the Swaziland Communications Commission Bill, 2010 before it is promulgated into an Act of Parliament. Senate has referred the Bill to the Portfolio Committee of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology chaired by Senator Themba Msibi. One of the objectives of the Bill is to establish a Swaziland Communications Commission which will regulate and supervise the operation of electronic communications networks and the provision of electronic communications services in Swaziland, including the regulation of data protection in electronic communications. The Bill also seeks to transfer the regulatory powers and functions of the Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation relating to communications, as provided under the Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Act, 1983, to the Commission. It will also transfer the regulatory powers and functions of the Swaziland Television Authority, as provided under the Swaziland Television Authority Act, 1983, to the Commission.
The Commission is expected to advise the Government on policy and legislative measures, including radio and television broadcasts, postal services, electronic commerce and data protection in electronic communications. The Ministry of ICT anticipates that once the Swaziland Communications Commission Bill has been passed into an Act, it will level the playing field in the sector.
Extensive consultations with stakeholders have commenced since the development of the Bill in 2008. Currently, the powers to regulate the telecommunications sector, which are legally under the Managing Director of SPTC have been delegated to the Director of Communications in the Ministry of ICT.
Interested parties can make written or oral submissions by contacting the Committee Clerk at 2416 2407 by August 24, 2012.