Telecommunications and Universal Service - Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Introduction Context and terms of reference Telecommunications policy is always a balance between economic growth and social justice.
Universal service is, in general, most concerned with the latter.
The balance to be struck between economic and social priorities in South Africa, however, will be fairly unique in a couple of ways, and universal service is by no means concerned solely with social justice. First, for historical reasons, the extent of injustice in the system is even greater than in the polarized networks of other similarly developed countries. Not only big business but hundreds of thousands of microbusinesses must be supported if South Africa is to succeed in its aims. This report was prepared in the context of a national effort to develop a telecommunications policy to achieve these aims. Following an extensive consultation process and the publication of a White Paper, a number of areas required further consideration and elaboration.