Page 3 - EngineerIT December 2021

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

o, we survived 2021, but was our experience any and narrow, which will ultimately ensure that users
different from 2020? Perhaps not, except that get a fair deal. There is always the possibility that the
Swe have become accustomed to being restricted, big players will dominate the market, but they are the
working from home, and interacting on video platforms. ones that drive innovation and build the infrastructure.
What many of us have learned is that life must carry on Undoubtedly, the smaller players in industry must be
and that lockdown only changes the way we do things. given opportunities but that can be taken care of in the
licensing conditions at the time of tender. There are also
There are no real ‘normals’, as I haven written about in many niche markets that need exploring.
many previous editorial comments. I believe that we will
continuously adjust to “new normals” which will develop It is difficult to predict what 2022 will bring. My belief
in tandem with the emergence of new technologies that is that if we keep an open mind about change driven
will be entering our space. by developments in technology, we can only prosper.
Success is not inherited, it has to be worked for.
2021 has shown that we are very adaptable to change
and although some people try to resist it, they soon At EngineerIT we are open to new ideas and technological
realise that is very difficult to swim upstream and that if innovations that may be brought to the market, but
they want to stay relevant in the workplace, they have to we cannot write about them if you do not share them
adapt. This does not mean that one must accept every with us. Drop me an email or just call and let’s have
change. New ways of working must be compatible with a discussion - perhaps on one of the video meeting
the business environment we work in. platforms. It is the best alternative if we cannot meet in
person over a cup of coffee.
For me, the most disturbing experience of 2021 was
government’s inability to move ahead and sort out the Our purpose is to keep readers informed and to update
frequency spectrum mess. The continual bickering by them about new developments. Share your expectations
some industry sectors has not helped to resolve the with us. We value your comments.
situation, and all they did was to derail the system in the
hope that they would gain a slice for themselves. On behalf of all of us at EngineerIT and Now Media, I
wish you an enjoyable festive season and a prosperous
Lack of access to adequate spectrum to achieve an and exciting 2022. We will be here to bring stories twice a
effective broadband service at an affordable rate week in our newsletters and once a month in EngineerIT.
will impede the industrial and economic growth in
every sector of our economy. ICT’s role is moving to Best wishes
centre stage!
Hans van de Groenendaal

I have often written that government should leave 012 991 4662
industry to manage spectrum within agreed guidelines. 082 781 4631
Forces in industry will keep the process on the straight hansv@nowmedia.co.za

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