| (1) | The Minister must establish a National Broadband Council to perform the functions referred to in subsection (3) having regard to the provisions of any other national law on the development of infrastructure. |
| (2) | The terms and conditions of appointment of members who may be from the public and private sector, including allowances, composition and meetings applicable to the Council by virtue of its appointment in terms of subsection (1), must be as determined by the Minister. |
| (3) | The Council must report to and advise the Minister on broadband policy and implementation and must, where required to do so by the Minister, perform the following functions: |
| (a) | Coordinate overall broadband implementation by government at national, provincial and local government levels; |
| (b) | facilitate the monitoring and measurement of broadband penetration in South Africa; |
| (c) | develop a broadband implementation plan that supports the Broadband Policy for South Africa which plan must include, without limitation, skills development, research and development of broadband priority areas; |
| (d) | advise the Minister and the Minister of Finance on government investment in electronic communications facilities and networks that contribute to broadband at national, provincial and local government level to avoid unnecessary duplication; |
| (e) | recommend measures to increase uptake and usage of broadband as well as enhance public awareness on the benefits of broadband; and |
| (f) | annually survey and evaluate the status of broadband penetration in the Republic including, without limitation, household broadband penetration and electronic communications network connectivity to municipalities and broadband providers. |
| (f) | annually survey and evaluate the status of broadband penetration in the Republic including, without limitation, household broadband penetration and electronic communications network connectivity to municipalities and broadband providers. |
[Section 72A inserted by section 32 of the Electronic Communications Amendment Act, 2014 (Act No. 1 of 2014)]
