The Universal Services and Access Agency of South Africa – USAASA.ZA – is tasked with promoting the goal of universal access and universal service in the country. The International Telecommunications Union’s definition of the two concepts is that: “Universal Service (US) means that every household or individual in a country has the opportunity for telephone service. Universal Access (UA) means that everyone in a community can gain access to a publicly available telephone, although not necessarily in their homes.”
In an attempt to achieve US and UA, South Africa, in 2010, published its definition of each concept. That was 16 years ago and the world of communications is a vastly different place.
USAASA has now published a discussion document inviting comment on “whether, and in what respects, the Ministerial determination of universal access and universal service made in 2010 should be updated.” Comments are due by 16h00 on Friday 30 October 2026.
