M. Tech. Business Administration / Fixed-line operators in South Africa as well as globally have had a difficult battle, facing external pressures such as deregulation, a severe industry and economic downturn and declining prices. Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) is dropping as operators delay or cut back on spending. With the internet economy, digital media and other telecommunications activities still trying to establish, there is a need for modern and efficient infrastructure that is becoming more critical and therefore, collaboration in infrastructure sharing between organisations is becoming a growing subject of interest to the telecommunication industry, as it is seen as an opportunity to reduce the costs of deploying infrastructure and of gearing investment towards under-serviced areas. In this study, an effort is made to assess how collaboration in terms of a joint venture between Neotel, Vodacom and MTN can have an effect in terms of infrastructure sharing by establishing how the approach can reduce costs (infrastructure building and operating) in Neotel and to assess the risks associated with it.

The emergence of public enterprises was heightened in the middle part of this century at a time when the Keynesian theory dominated economic thinking. State involvement in the economy was viewed as essentially crucial for crowding in of investment. With recession creeping in the late 70s, coupled with dynamic and evolving economic thinking and policies of the time, degovernmentalisation assumed prominence. The central theme was that the private sector was more efficient in the allocation of resources. The UK led the way in 1979 with pronouncements of privatisation of state enterprises. Privatisation became the new buzzword, and was exported all over the world. In South Africa, the problems encountered towards the close of the late 1980s paved the way for privatisation. South African Posts and Telecommunications' (SAPT) path towards privatisation was mooted in 1988 and chanted in October 1991 when it was commercialized to form TELKOM SA Limited. The takeoff to privatisation occurred in 1996 when 30% of TELKOM shares were sold off to Telekom Malaysia Bhd partnered by US-based SBC Communications Inc. Telecommunications has pervaded all facets of human endeavors covering social, security and business functions. Intricately intertwined global processes have complemented the sector's propensity to expand and integrate since the late 70s. Despite its salient impact on political, economic and social development, telecommunications remains at a crossroads in South Africa. The seemingly dichotomous situation in South Africa presents an interesting development dilemma of social thrust versus private capital development. In telecommunications, there are two conflicting objectives that have to be met: universal service provision versus growth and development of world class business services. Privatisation will have a profound impact on various stakeholders including the government, TELKOM, trade unions, residential and business consumers, equipment manufacturers and engineers among others. The study therefore seeks to give an anagram of parastatals emergence, analysis of the privatisation process, as well as provide a critical and empirical review of TELKOM development trajectory. The analysis is made within the context of development using the following theories: principal-agent theory, theory of contestable markets and regulatory theory. These are central to issues behind privatisation since ownership; efficiency and regulation shape the policies and operations of companies today. This thesis has found that TELKOM has performed relatively well over the last couple of decades but has been facing major challenges created by the new sociopolitical dispensation, globalization and a shift in economic thinking premised on capitalism. There are wide disparities in the provision of phones along spatial and racial lines. Competition is still a far cry although regulation structures are in place. For regulation to work there must be competition and free access to information, and this is non existent. Regulation in an information asymmetry environment can render it ineffective. The only route open for telecommunications in South Africa is privatisation, which should be implemented in stages in consultation with various stakeholders. Policy guidelines should emphasize the promotion of both the universal service and market services in order to close the gaps created by apartheid and make South Africa industry competitive. Models from the developed and developing worlds should be blended while taking into consideration historical and specific conditions prevailing in the country. The dynamic telecommunications industry is going to self adjust through a process of partnerships and alliances while lower tariffs can be achieved through competitive provision of services and supply of equipment. Complementary telecommunication services should be provided through existing networks operated by Transtel, Eskom etc. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, 1999.

The research reported in this thesis is concerned with the provision of telecommunications infrastructure to rural areas in developing countries. The primary focus is to improve the current practice in the planning of such infrastructure. An in depth analysis of the critical issues that characterise rural telecommunications in developing countries revealed that the rural telecommunications system is not just a technological system but a complex system of people and technology interdependent on other systems/subsystems. A systems approach lead to a conceptual model of The Rural Telecommunications System as an open complex sociotechnical system. Consequently the planning of rural telecommunications infrastructure requires an approach that addresses such complexity. Critical systems thinking was chosen as the overall systems thinking approach for the development of a systemic planning framework for rural telecommunications infrastructure, that accommodates the system of problems inherent in the complex sociotechnical rural telecommunications system. The framework was built on the principles of Multimethodology and consists of Interactive Planning as a general orientation, mixed with Interpretive Structural Modelling and Critical Systems Heuristics. The framework is enhanced by the inclusion of current techniques from Systems Engineering practice, and softer techniques such as rich pictures. A case study based on the Mapumulo rural area in KwaZulu Natal was used for the practical validation of the framework. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

<strong>Nature and Scope of the Study</strong><br /> Constant organisational change can be attributed to many factors, including competition among peers in the same markets, globalisation, privatisation of public sector organisations, technological advances, and operational requirements. These factors almost always lead to organisations reducing headcount. One such organisation is Telkom, which bi-annually embarks on large-scale retrenchments. Service organisations within the company were chosen at random to participate in this study. Telkom&rsquo / s Human Resource Management, Legal Services, Employee Relations, and the organisation&rsquo / s recognised unions participated in this study.<br /> <br /> <strong>Purpose and Objectives of the Study</strong><br /> Through an evaluation of Telkom&rsquo / s staff reduction process, the study seeks to:<br /> 1. Find out what measures Telkom has in place to ease the necessity of retrenchment within the organisation.<br /> 2. Review whether Telkom has looked at other alternatives before planning staff reductions.<br /> 3. Investigate whether a social plan within Telkom exists to help incorporate retrenched employees back into the economy.<br /> 4. Investigate and examine Telkom&rsquo / s compliance with labour legislation, specifically the Labour Relations Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study aims to assess the state of developments of Information Communication Technologies (ICT's) in the Gauteng Province as a driving factor for evolution into informational economy. Throughout the world the convergence of telecommunications, computing and publishing industries has changed the way in which the world economies and society at large are organized. It is important for every part of society to adapt to these changes. Since 1996 a number of institutional developments at a global, national, provincial, industrial, municipality and community levels have taken place to prepare society for the digital revolution. These institutional initiatives took form of policies and programs that would have an impact on the Gauteng Province. Therefore, it is necessary for Gauteng Province to develop a planning framework that is informed by these changes and initiatives. The theoretical basis of the study was Critical Multiplism. This approach employs multiple perspectives, methods, measures and data sources to arrive at plausible conclusions. The study concludes that the Gauteng Province has reached a critical point for rapid growth of ICT's to take place. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie fokus op die evaluering van die ontwikkeling van die Informasie Kommunikasie Tegnologie in Gauteng as 'n dryffaktor vir die evolusie na 'n informasie ekonomie. Internasionaal het die integrasie van telekommunikasie, rekenarisering en publisieteit industrieë die manier van organisasie van wêreld ekonomie en die samelewing verander. Dit is belangrik vir die sameling se voortbestaan om aan te pas by hierdie veranderinge. Sedert 1996 het verskeie institute en organisasies op globale, nasionale, provinsiale, industrieële, munisipale en gemeenskaps vlak reeds met voorbereidings begin vir die digitale revolusie. Hierdie inisiatiewe het die vorm van voorskrifte en programme aangeneem wat 'n definitiewe impak maak op Gauteng. Dit is belangrik vir Gauteng om 'n voorskriftelike raamwerk op te stel in lyn met hierdie inisiatiewe. Die teoretiese basis van hierdie studie was Kritiese Vermenigvuldiging. Hierdie metode maak gebruik van verskeie sienings, maniere en inligtingsbronne om by 'n werkbare oplossing te kom. Hierdie studie beklemtoon die feit dat Gauteng 'n krietiesie punt bereik het vir vinnige groei in Informasie Kommunikasie Tegnologie.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010.). / Change has become a normal occurrence within organisations in South Africa, more so in telecommunication organisations due to the rapid technological advances. In a competitive global economy, organisations are forced to stay abreast with technological changes in order to survive. The South African telecommunication industry is no exception as global changes will ultimately result in local changes. Harker (1996: 1) maintains that “a tidal wave of change is headed towards the telecommunication industry”. He mentions that the change experienced within the telecommunications industry will transform the economic, social and political environment for nearly every person in the world. The change taking place is affected by the rapid advancement in technology and convergence of computing, communication and information. Therefore only organisations that are ready for these changes will survive. The research was conducted in a large telecommunication organisation in South Africa (Company A) with over 20 000 employees currently employed in the organisation. Company A is embarking on organisational restructuring initiatives that will involve a number of organisational change processes. Organisational change processes may cause resistance to change as feelings of fear, uncertainty, reduced levels of trust in management and an increase in employee resignations may result (Bovey & Hede, 2001: 372, Coch & French, 1948: 512-548). The purpose of this research was to determine the levels of employee commitment to Company A and employee perceptions of the planned organisational changes at Company A

submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Technology: Information Technology, 2002. / The evaluation of telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas is a complex and messy problem that involves many tangible and intangible factors. Some of them are technical in nature while others are soft, involving social, cultural and political aspects of the problem. The evaluation requires, inter alia, societal intervention, and since societies reflect a multiplicity and diversity of values and goals, the intervention should confront these realities / D

From the 1990s onwards, significant developments have occurred in the international telecommunications sector that have affected the South African telecommunications industry and peoples’ access to the network. Rapid developments in Information and Communication Technologies and the reorganisation of telecommunications operators through commercialisation, privatisation and the effects of market liberalisation have resulted in monopoly operators moving away from their public service mandates. Globalisation and adherence to World Trade Organisation rules are causing operators to rebalance their tariffs closer to cost. Long-distance rates are decreasing while the cost of local calls is increasing. High-end users of telecommunications services are benefiting while low-end, largely residential users are being priced off the network. The end result is a negative effect on universal access to telecommunications services. This study examines the extent to which commercialisation, privatisation and liberalization are affecting the provision of telecommunications services and the government’s goal of achieving universal access in South Africa. Qualitative research methods were utilised to establish that the state owned operator, Telkom, has transformed itself from a public service operator to one that is fully commercialised and prepared for an Initial Public Offering and competition. Telkom no longer attempts to ensure that its tariffs are affordable for all people. However, positive developments presented themselves in the form of an increasingly competent regulator, a reorganised and dedicated Universal Service Agency, and the popularity of cellular telephony. The primary discovery of this study is that the liberalisation of the South African telecommunications sector cannot be assumed to have a negative effect on the provision of service. This study finds that liberalisation will most likely benefit the country through the role out of new infrastructure, the provision of new services and ultimately the reduction of those services themselves. In order for universal access to be achieved in this country the study recommends that the resources of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa be enhanced to enable the regulator oversee the industry effectively. Secondly, the Universal Service Agency must provide clear definitions of universal access and universal service as well as manage the Universal Service Fund with greater efficiency. Lastly, the two bodies mentioned above must ensure that services are affordable for all people of this country.

Submitted to the Information Technology (IT) Department in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology, Durban University of Technology. Durban, South Africa, 2016. / This doctoral research introduces an integration of satellite systems and new stratospheric platforms for weather observation, imaging and transfer of meteorological data to the ground infrastructures. Terrestrial configuration and satellite communication subsystems represent well-established technologies that have been involved in global satellite sensing and weather observation area for years. However, in recent times, a new alternative has emerged based on quasi-stationary aerial platforms located in the Stratosphere called High Altitude Platform (HAP) or Stratospheric Communication Platforms (SCP). The SCP systems seem to represent a dream come true for communication engineers since they preserve most of the advantages of both terrestrial and satellite communication systems. Today, SCP systems are able to help, in a more cost effective way, developments of space Earth sensing and weather observation and weather sensing and observation. This new system can provide a number of forms ranging from a low altitude tethered balloon to a high altitude (18 – 25 km) fuel-powered piloted aircraft, solar-powered unmanned airplanes and solar-powered airship.

M.Comm. / In today's society everyone is dependent on information for decision making, and a big part of the information is provided via telecommunication lines. Telecommunication is the unseen and unsung hero when it comes to information transfer. It is no wonder that telecommunication service providers are striving to give better and faster service almost daily. Furthermore because of the competitive nature of the telecommunications arena, service providers are striving to get the best performance from their telecommunications links. It has thus become more important to provide excellent service and guaranteed performance above anything else. The purpose of this study is to determine what kind of information is needed by the management of a telecommunications service provider to make business or strategic decisions. Questionnaires and interviews were used in this study to determine what kind of information is needed by the managers and the decision makers in the management of the telecommunication network. The basis of the study was provided through the examination of what a telecommunication network consists of, and the information that is needed to run such a network. An additional feature was that there is already a network monitoring system working practically. This system was used to measure the success of telecommunication network management and to determine what other factors should be catered for when a total telecommunication management network is evaluated.