Broadband Infraco

 

Legislative Mandate

To be recognised as the wholesale provider of choice for backhaul connectivity.

Financial Relation

Transfer of funds

 

Nature of Operations

To ensure that the high capacity connectivity and bandwidth requirements for specific projects of national interests are met

Contact Details

http://www.infraco.co.za

Details

Guidelines for Policy Makers

A National Checklist

Comprehensive Legal Framework

It will generally be necessary for there to be in place a body of laws which makes it clear that any and every crime that can be committed against a child in the real world can, mutatis mutandis, also be committed on the Internet or on any other electronic network. It may also be necessary to develop new laws or adapt existing ones to outlaw certain types of behaviour which can only take place on the Internet, for example the remote enticement of children to perform or watch sexual acts, or “grooming” children to meet in the real world for a sexual purpose.

Ancillary to these purposes it will generally be necessary for there to be in place a legal framework which outlaws the misuse of computers for criminal ends, outlaws hacking or other malicious or non-consensual use of computer code and establishes that the Internet is a locus within which crimes can be committed.

 

Need For a National Focus on Online Child Protection

Several national governments have found it useful to bring together all of the key stakeholders and players to focus on developing and implementing a national initiative around making the Internet a safer place for children and young people, and raising awareness of the issues and how to deal with them in a very practical way. It will be important within this strategy to realise that the Internet can now be accessed via several different kinds of devices. Computers are only one of many ways of going online.

Mobile phones, games consoles and PDAs are also increasingly important. The providers of both wireless and fixed-line access need to be involved. Additionally in many countries the network of public libraries, telecentres and Internet cafes can be important sources of Internet access particularly for children and young people.

 

Some countries have found it to be advantageous to establish a self or coregulatory model in relation to developing policy in this area and through such models they have, for example, published codes of good practice to guide the Internet industry in terms of the measures which may work best when it comes to keeping children and young people safer online.

This has also worked at the regional level, for example within the European Union where EU-wide codes have been published both for social networking sites and mobile phone networks in relation to the provision of content and services to children and young people via their networks.

 

Self and co-regulation can be a very effective way of helping to engage and sustain the involvement of all relevant stakeholders and can also be very effective in terms of enhancing the speed with which appropriate responses to technological change can be formulated and put into effect. Schools and the education system generally will play a very important part in rolling out such a national strategy, but the strategy also needs to go wider than that.

Consideration should also be given to enlisting the aid of the mass media in promoting awareness messages and campaigns.

 

Need to Develop Local Resources Which Reflect National Laws and Local

Many of the large Internet companies produce web sites which contain a great deal of information about online issues for children and young people. However, very often this material will only be available in English or in a very narrow band of languages. It is very important, therefore, that materials are produced locally which reflect local laws as well as local cultural norms. This will be essential for any Internet safety campaign or any training materials that are developed.

 

Need for Public Education and Awareness Activities Cultural Norms

Parents and guardians and professional, such as teachers, have a crucial role to play in helping to keep children and young people safer online. Educational and outreach programmes should be developed which help build awareness of the issues and also provide strategies for dealing with them. When producing educational materials it is important to bear in mind that many people who are new to the technology will not feel comfortable using it.

 

For that reason it is important to ensure that safety materials are made available in either written form or produced using other media with which newcomers will feel more familiar, for example, with video. Within any education and awareness campaign it will be important to strike the right tone. Fear-based messaging should be avoided and due prominence should be given to the new technology’s many positive and fun features. The Internet has great potential as a means of empowering children and young people to discover new worlds.. Teaching positive and responsible forms of online behaviour is a key objective of education and awareness programs.

 

Need for Reporting Mechanisms for Online Predatory Behaviour, Including Bullying

Mechanisms for reporting abuse of an online service or for reporting objectionable or illegal behavior online, for example to a national hotline, should be widely advertised and promoted both on the Internet and in other media. Links to report abuse mechanisms should be prominently displayed on relevant parts of any web site that allows user generated content to appear.

It should also be possible for people who feel threatened in any way, or for people who have witnessed any worrying activity on the Internet, to be able to report it as quickly as possible to the relevant law enforcement agencies who need to be trained and ready to respond. The Virtual Global Taskforce is a law enforcement body which provides a 24/7 mechanism to receive reports about illegal behaviour or content from persons in the USA, Canada, Australia and Italy, with other countries expected to join soon. See www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com

 

Helping Children to Stay Safer Through the Use of Technical Tools

There are a number of software programmes available which can help screen out unwanted material or block unwanted contacts. Some of these child safety and filtering programmes may be essentially free because they are part of a computer’s operating system or they are provided as part of a package available from an ISP or ESP. The manufacturers of some game consoles also provide similar tools if the device is Internet enabled. These programmes are not foolproof but they can provide a welcome level of support, particularly in families with younger children.

 

These technical tools should be used as part of a broader arsenal. Parental and/or guardian involvement is critical. As children start getting a bit older they will want more privacy and they will also feel a strong desire to start exploring on their own. In addition, where a billing relationship exists between vendor and customer, age verification processes can play a very valuable role in helping vendors of age restricted goods and services or the publishers of material which is intended only for audiences at or above a certain age, to reach out to those specific audiences. Where no billing relationship exists the use of age verification technology may be problematic or in many countries it may be impossible due to a lack of reliable data sources…

 

Details

Guidelines for Industry

For ISPs and other online providers to engage effectively in the Child Online Protection Initiative, it is crucial that they have a clear understanding of how content and services are classified in the jurisdictions within which they operate. Collaborating with local broadcasters should be very helpful in terms of developing such an understanding. It is also important to understand how the local legislation perceives the ‘location’ of content and determines the ‘place’ at which a service is delivered or received. Each country has a responsibility to develop their own legislation that they can apply to Internet content and services within their jurisdiction.

 

Unfortunately, as several studies have shown, many countries have insufficient or inadequate legislation to deal with the issue of online child protection. Additionally different jurisdictions hold differing views. These differences can be abused or exploited to the detriment of children. Criminals and child abusers will know which countries have the weakest laws or the least developed mechanisms for dealing with these sorts of issues and they will naturally gravitate towards them unless counter-vailing measures are taken.  

Given this inconsistency in the legislative and policy frameworks across different countries, it is imperative that the Internet industry at large embrace best practice guidelines and adopt global standards and codes of practice that allow them to exercise a socially responsible effort towards dealing with the issue of child online protection.      

 

In many countries around the world, industry is taking a lead and adopting voluntary and self-regulatory approaches that demonstrate commitment to developing a responsible approach to children’s use of online ICT and communications. It is very much in the industry’s interests to take action, to get ahead of the curve, not only because it is the right thing to do from a moral perspective, but also because, in the longer run it will help develop public confidence in the Internet as a medium.

Without that confidence and trust, the technology will never deliver or fulfil its enormous potential both to enrich and empower individuals but also to add to the economic prosperity and well being of each country. 

Details

Guidelines for Parents

 The safety tips draw on analysis the data gathered and available research. This section of the paper is intended to provide, in one convenient place, guidelines to parents, guardians and educators to help them teach their children how to have a safe, positive and valuable experience while online. Parents, guardians and educators must consider the exact nature of the different sites, and their child’s understanding of the dangers and the likelihood that the parent can reduce risks, before deciding which environment is right for their child.

The Internet has great potential as a means of empowering children and young people to help and find things out for themselves. Teaching positive and responsible forms of online behaviour is a key objective.

 

Safety & security of your personal computer

Keep the computer in a common room  

Keeping the computer in a common room and being present especially when younger children are using the Internet can be very important. If you cannot be present, consider other ways of keeping a close watch on what your children are doing online, for example by using technical tools. In larger families with multiple computers there may be some practical limits which also arise if you insist on them all being in the same room at the same time, and remember as children start to get older they are anyway entitled to some privacy. As more and more children acquire laptops, and wireless networks become commonplace in private homes, it will also be more difficult to maintain a rule of this kind. 

 

Rules 

Agree house rules about using the Internet and personal devices, giving particular attention to issues of privacy, age inappropriate places, bullying and stranger danger

As soon as children begin to use the Internet on their own, discuss and establish a list of agreed rules. These rules should include when children can use the Internet and how they should use it.

 

Internet sites features review

 Consider whether filtering and blocking or monitoring programmes can help support or underpin children’s and young people’s safe use of the internet and personal devices. If you use such software explain what it does and why you are using it to your children. Keep confidential any relevant passwords linked to these programmes.

Issues of trust and a young person’s right to privacy can arise where technical tools are used, particularly monitoring programmes. In normal circumstances it is highly desirable that a parent or guardian discusses their reasons for wanting to use of this type of software, and in schools its use should also be fully explained.

 

Children’s educations

Prevent children from sharing personally identifiable information

Help your children understand what information should be kept private. Explain that children should post only information that you – and they – are comfortable with others seeing. Remind your children that once they post information online, they cannot take it back.

 

Internet sites safe usage review

Ensure children follow age limits of the Internet site

If children are under the age recommended by the Internet sites, do not let them use the sites. It is important to remember that parents cannot rely on the service provider being able to keep underage children from signing up. 

 

Communication

Communicate with your children about their experiences 

Talk to your children regularly about where they go and who they speak to when they go online. Encourage your children to tell you if something they encounter on the Internet makes them feel uncomfortable or threatened. Remind your children to stop immediately whatever they are doing when they feel uncomfortable or become suspicious. Be sure they understand they will not get in trouble for bringing something to your attention. In turn, you, as the parent and adult, should not overreact when your child shares their experience with you. Stay calm regardless of what they tell you, get all the facts, and then take action. Praise your child for trusting you. Ensure children can report abusers.

Parents’,Guardians’and Teachers’education

Parents should become familiar with the Internet sites used by their children (i.e. services and products offered by Internet sites) and have a good understanding of how children spend their time online 

Evaluate the sites that children plan to use and read the privacy policy, terms of use and codes of conduct (often called “House Rules”) carefully, together with any dedicated parents’ page. Also, find out if the site monitors content posted on the services pages and review your child's page periodically. Check to see if any products are sold on the site.

Details

COP Guidelines

The World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 25 to 28 November 2008.

There were 3,500 participants including 300 adolescents – 150 of which were from foreign countries.

It concluded with an outcome document called the “Rio de Janeiro Declaration to Prevent and Stop Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents”, which contains the “Adolescent Declaration to End Sexual Exploitation”. Here are some of the key messages from children and young people to the world:

We the children of the world commend the Government of Brazil and the other governments and responsible agencies for giving us the children, the present and future of the world, a voice at this World Congress III.

 

We are at this moment calling for governmental actions to effectuate laws and policies that redound to the benefit, protection and wellbeing of children both on the local and international level. However, it is simply not enough to allow governments to make empty promises to curb this attack on children. Consequently, we the children, ask that action committees be created to audit the action plans in each country.

 

We also call for the adoption of an International Day where children will lead the effort in awareness raising campaigns, rallies and marches. To further enlarge the scope of this day, we request the organization of an International Art, Essay and Speech competition which will culminate on this day

We now turn our attention to the media particularly the internet which poses one of the greatest threats to millions of children throughout the world.

We the children must make known our plight for governments to pursue strict and punitive legislation with regards to the Internet, especially child pornography- simply another form of abuse.

We similarly ask for strong cyber safety Rules which are well propagated on both the websites and within the communities. To this end we call for the increased development of children’s, teachers, parent’s and family manuals which address the threats of the internet in addition to providing supplemental information about sexual exploitation of children.

 

Further, we provide a mandate for the media to gather documents, reports, folders, CDs, videos and other materials to increase knowledge on this issue. We the children of the world pledge to vehemently and passionately pursue these policies and to call our governments to action if we do not see positive steps being taken to end this phenomenon that continues to scourge the world today.

 

Details

Case Studies

Children and Young People’s Voices

The World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 25 to 28 November 2008.

There were 3,500 participants including 300 adolescents – 150 of which were from foreign countries.

It concluded with an outcome document called the “Rio de Janeiro Declaration to Prevent and Stop Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents”, which contains the “Adolescent Declaration to End Sexual Exploitation”. Here are some of the key messages from children and young people to the world:

We the children of the world commend the Government of Brazil and the other governments and responsible agencies for giving us the children, the present and future of the world, a voice at this World Congress III.

7. We are at this moment calling for governmental actions to effectuate laws and policies that redound to the benefit, protection and wellbeing of children both on the local and international level. However, it is simply not enough to allow governments to make empty promises to curb this attack on children. Consequently, we the children, ask that action committees be created to audit the action plans in each country.

8. We also call for the adoption of an International Day where children will lead the effort in awareness raising campaigns, rallies and marches. To further enlarge the scope of this day, we request the organization of an International Art, Essay and Speech competition which will culminate on this day

9. We now turn our attention to the media particularly the internet which poses one of the greatest threats to millions of children throughout the world.

10. We the children must make known our plight for governments to pursue strict and punitive legislation with regards to the Internet, especially child pornography- simply another form of abuse.

11. We similarly ask for strong cyber safety Rules which are well propagated on both the websites and within the communities. To this end we call for the increased development of children’s, teachers, parent’s and family manuals which address the threats of the internet in addition to providing supplemental information about sexual exploitation of children.

12. Further, we provide a mandate for the media to gather documents, reports, folders, CDs, videos and other materials to increase knowledge on this issue. We the children of the world pledge to vehemently and passionately pursue these policies and to call our governments to action if we do not see positive steps being taken to end this phenomenon that continues to scourge the world today.

Declaration to End Sexual Exploitation” can be found at:

https://www.unicef.org/protection/Rio_Declaration_and_Call_for_Action.pdf

Details

Child Online Protection (COP) Objectives

 Key Objectives of COP:

    • Identify risks and vulnerabilities to children in cyberspace
    • Create awareness
    • Develop practical tools to help minimize risk
    • Share knowledge and experience

COP has been established as an international collaborative network for action to promote the online protection of children worldwide by providing guidance on safe online behaviour in conjunction with other UN agencies and partners.

 

ITU is working with the following organizations on COP and would like to thank them for their support:

    • Children's Charities' Coalition on Internet Safety
    • Child Helpline International (CHI)
    • Cyber Peace Initiative
    • ECPAT International
    • European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA)
    • European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
    • European Commission - Safer Internet Programme
    • European NGO Alliance for Child Safety Online (eNASCO)
    • eWWG
    • Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI)
    • GSM Association
    • iKeepSafe
    • International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)
    • International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children
    • Optenet
    • Microsoft
    • Telecom Italia
    • Telefónica
    • Save the Children
    • United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
    • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
    • United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)
    • United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)
    • Vodafone Group

Details

Key Objectives of COP:

  • Identify risks and vulnerabilities to children in cyberspace
  • Providing strategic leadership to Digital Migration project office in implementing strategies to successfully migrate the countries broadcasting systems to digital services
  • Provide executive administration support services to the Accounting Officer;
Details

About Child Online Protection (COP)

COP aims to tackle cybersecurity holistically, addressing legal, technical, organizational and procedural issues as well as capacity building and international cooperation.

Our children are our future. This universal fact, coupled with young people’s particular

Vulnerability in an online environment, made a specialized initiative within the larger GCA framework a necessity.

The legal, technical and institutional challenges posed by the issue of cybersecurity are global and far-reaching and can only be addressed through a coherent strategy taking into account the role of different stakeholders and existing initiatives, within a framework of an international collaborative network. Children are among the most active – and most vulnerable – participants online. ITU’s motto is "committed to connecting the world", but we are also committed to connecting the world responsibly. That means working together to ensure cyber security, enable cyber peace, and – perhaps most importantly – protect children online.

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ICT Policy Review

Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) environment is dynamic and rapid technological development is changing how we communicate and access information and services. Separate frameworks have guided the development of the Telecommunications & Postal Services sector since 1994. These include White Papers on Broadcasting Policy, Telecommunications Policy and Postal services policy. These policy frameworks focused on addressing historical inequalities in access to basic services, while ensuring that all South Africans benefit from new services and access to new technologies and that ICTs are actively used to meet the development goals of the country. These policy frameworks reinforced the constitutional principle of equality and equal access to all communication services by all South Africans.

The ongoing technological changes and innovations that are envisaged in the future, coupled with the fact that most of the communication related policies were drawn up in the beginning phases of the country’s democracy, necessitate a review of these frameworks and the development of a new policy.

To this end, the Minister of Telecommunications & Postal Services has initiated an ICT Policy Review process to review current frameworks in order to develop a new policy, at least equal to those of the best in the world, is therefore both a necessity and an opportunity. The policy review should establish which current provisions have become redundant because of changes we have experienced; provisions that should be carried into the future, and new provisions that should be established to take the sector forward. 

 

This policy review process is aimed at developing a new communications sector framework that further advances previous changes made in response to convergence. The review process will evaluate progress against the original objectives set out in the individual White Papers, policies and related laws in order to strengthen the overarching framework. It will also look at what new approaches are necessary to ensure our policies and frameworks are relevant to the changing environment and to individual, community and society’s social, economic, cultural, and development needs. The amended policy will consider how we could better promote the relevant and sustainable use of communications technologies and services to meet clearly identified needs.

 We need to consider:

      • What policy and regulatory framework will create an enabling environment for communication services to contribute more effectively towards improving people’s lives in the workplace, in their homes, and communities?
      • What framework will best promote access by all South Africans to a range of compelling opinion, information, education and cultural content in the language/s of their choice (including sign language) – and also give them the means to create this content?
      • How can we ensure that communication services be used to improve service delivery by Government and give citizens a greater voice in determining their service needs?
      • How do we make communications services both competitive and robust to boost investment by the private sector, and strengthen the voice of civil society?
      • What policy do we need to promote innovation and development of the sector so that it can increase the prosperity of the country as a whole and of all individuals who live in it?
      • How can we in this process, strengthen and sustain the relationship between the public and private sectors, labour, citizens, academic and other institutions to increase our capacity to better meet the country’s needs?

 

Government has already identified the communications sector as a critical growth sector. The National Development Plan (NDP) recognises that the ongoing development of quality communications infrastructure, services, content and applications, is key to the rapid economic, social and cultural development of the country. 

The Minister of Telecommunications & Postal Services has since established a 22-member ICT Policy Review Panel, who were nominated following a call for public nominations. This Panel, working with closely with the leadership of the Department, will be recommending the best communications policy frameworks that will ensure that all South Africans take full advantage of the possibilities and opportunities created by convergence and digitisation of communications technologies. The new policy frameworks should ensure that we do not create a digital divide where access to quality communications services, technologies, infrastructure and content is not enjoyed by all South Africans.