12 No. 37261 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 24 JANUARY 2014 consultative process that seeks to involve all South Africans in the review and development of new policies that will take the country forward. The next step in policy making will be the issuing of a Discussion Paper for pubic consultation and thereafter the gazetting of a White Paper, which spells out policy positions of Government. Framing Paper Gazetted Green Paper Discussion Paper to follow White Paper to follow April 2013 The Green Paper is an invitation to stakeholders and all members of the public to comment on policy issues and to participate in legislative reform. This document is an essential part of the democratic process. In this document, we review the ICT sector and pose questions at the end of each chapter. These questions are posed to invite comment from the public. 1.2 Background to the Policy Review: Proposal for Discussion 1994, South Africa developed separate frameworks for the telecommunications, broadcasting and postal sectors. The policy frameworks adopted assisted the country to begin transforming the communications sector, and, for example, provided for universal In service and access to information and communications technologies. All of these policies, however, acknowledged that changes in technology would require a review of the country's policy and regulatory approaches in the future. Some steps at a policy, institutional and regulatory level have already been taken in response to changes in the communications sector. For example, the broadcasting and telecommunications regulators were merged in 2000 to begin the process of streamlining the regulatory approach to the sectors. In 2005, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) was given the responsibility for the regulation of postal services as well. That same year, 2005, a new law, the Electronic Communications Act (no 36 of 2005) was enacted, advancing the process of integrating the policy frameworks for the different sectors in recognition of convergence in the communications sector. However, South Africa has not yet taken full advantage of the possibilities and opportunities created by the convergence and digitisation of communications technologies. The fragmented approach adopted at the advent of democracy, does not maximize efficiencies and in future will increasingly hamper the capacity of the sector to fulfil socio-economic development. The silo approach to the sector needs to be reviewed so that we do not inadvertently create a digital divide where access to quality communications services, technologies, infrastructure and content is a privilege of the elite, rather than a right for all. 8 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za