Communications Minister General to handover 80 000 mobile phones

7 June 2010

Communications Minister General (Retired) Siphiwe Nyanda will hand over
80 000 mobile units to the Ministries of Police and Health as part of
the 3G (third generation) spectrum license. This initiative is in
partnership with South Africa's mobile operators, namely MTN, Vodacom
and Cell C and is part of their Universal Services Obligations. Minister
Nyanda will be joined by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and Police
Commissioner General Bheki Cele and Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi
and all nine Health MECs.

During his 2010 budget vote speech, Minister Nyanda announced that the
Ministry of Communications has reached an agreement with operators to
commence with the implementation of the outstanding Universal Service
Obligations. The mobile units will be allocated to officials who will be
part of the FIFA 2010 World Cup soccer operations. This forms part of
the Department of Communications contribution towards the world cup
event in support of the safety and emergency services operations.

Other stakeholders present would be the management of the cell phone
companies, regulator Independent Communications Authority of South
Africa (ICASA), Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa
(USAASA) and other concerned state entities and stakeholders.

Media is invited to be part of this event.

Details of the event are as follows:
Date: 8 June 2010
Time: 09h30 to 12h00
Venue: Department of Communications Offices, 399 Duncan Street,
Hatfield, Pretoria.

Please confirm attendance with:
Richard Mantu
Cell: 072 488 1520

For media enquiries contact:
Tiyani Rikhotso
Cell: 083 800 9936

Issued by: Department of Communications
7 June 2010