SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Describe data communications 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14947  Describe data communications 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Information Systems and Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular-Fundamental  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is intended:
  • to provide fundamental knowledge of the areas covered
  • for those working in, or entering the workplace in the area of Data Communication & Networking
  • as additional knowledge for those wanting to understand the areas covered.

    People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Describe past, present and emerging developments in data communication.
  • Describe synchronous and asynchronous data communication.
    The performance of all elements is to a standard that allows for further learning in this area. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Open.The credit value of this unit is based on a person having prior knowledge and skills to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental mathematics (at least NQF level 1).
  • Demonstrate PC competency skills (End-User Computing unit Standards, at least up to NQF level 3.)? Demonstrate competence to resolve technical computer problems (DC301/ 302). 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe past, present and emerging developments in data communication. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes, but is not limited to: Signal characteristics, Components, Standards, Protocols, Media. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The description explains the origin of current data communications with an outline of past developments. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes, but is not limited to: Signal characteristics, Components, Standards, Protocols, Media.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The description provides a taxonomy for current systems. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes, but is not limited to: Signal characteristics, Components, Standards, Protocols, Media.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The description identifies and projects trends from emerging developments in data communications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes, but is not limited to: Signal characteristics, Components, Standards, Protocols, Media.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe synchronous and asynchronous data communications. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes, but is not limited to: Physical interface, Modes of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The description outlines the characteristics of each form of data communication. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes, but is not limited to: Physical interface, Modes of operation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The description explains the features of data communication equipment with respect to synchronous and asynchronous data communication. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes, but is not limited to: Physical interface, Modes of operation.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The relevant Education and Training Quality Authority (ETQA) must accredit providers before they can offer programs of education and training assessed against unit standards.

    Moderation Process: Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    1. Performance of all elements is to be carried out in accordance with organisation standards and procedures, unless otherwise stated. Organisation standards and procedures may cover: quality assurance, documentation, security, communication, health and safety, and personal behaviour

    2. Performance of all elements complies with the laws of South Africa, especially with regard to copyright, privacy, health and safety, and consumer rights.

    3. All activities must comply with any policies, procedures and requirements of the organisations involved, the ethical codes of relevant professional bodies and any relevant legislative and/ or regulatory requirements.

    4. Performance of all elements should be performed with a solid understanding of the use of development tools needed in the areas applicable to the unit standard. Examples of such tools are, but is not limited to CASE tools, programming language editors with syntax checking, program source version control systems systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Organise and manage him/her self and his/her activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise, and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to his/her full personal development and the social and economic development of the society at large by being aware of the importance of: reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively, exploring education and career opportunities and developing entrepreneurial opportunities. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Supplementary information: None.

    Sub-Sub-Field (Domain):Data Communications and Networking. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  20907   National Certificate: Customer Management  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2008-02-19  Was SERVICES until Last Date for Achievement 
    Fundamental  20903   National Certificate: Marketing Communications  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2008-02-19  Was SERVICES until Last Date for Achievement 
    Fundamental  20899   National Certificate: Marketing Management  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2008-02-19  Was SERVICES until Last Date for Achievement 
    Fundamental  20894   National Certificate: Marketing Research  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2008-02-19  Was SERVICES until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  61591   National Certificate: Information Technology: End User Computing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  78964   Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: Technical Support  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Elective  24293   National Certificate: Information Technology: Technical Support  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2010-01-23  Was MICTS until Last Date for Achievement 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Academy at Vaal Triangle (AVT 
    2. Academy Training Group 
    3. Acorser Corporate & Business Consulting t/a Acorser Academy 
    4. Action for Blind and Disabled 
    5. Action4 
    6. Affirmations Training 
    7. Africa Learn (Pty) Ltd 
    8. Afrika Tikkun NCC 
    9. All Nation Group Five Trading and Projects 
    10. Amadi Institute of Management And Technology (Pty) Ltd 
    11. Amilak Training Center 
    12. Angie Technologies 
    13. Answer The Call Skills and Entrepreneurship 
    14. ASMO INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AN 
    15. Aspirations Communication Training CC 
    16. ATTI IT SOLUTIONS (Bloemfontei 
    17. ATTI Nelspruit Pty Ltd 
    18. Atvance Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    19. Balefile Trading and Services 
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    23. Bokamoso Skills and Economic Development Centre 
    24. Brainwave Projects 1430 cc 
    25. Business Optimization Training Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    26. Careers IT 
    27. CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING 
    28. CHILI PEPPER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS 
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    37. DC Academy (PTY)LTD 
    38. Decade Pulse (Pty) Ltd 
    39. Dee's Training (Pty) Ltd 
    40. Delight Computer Training 
    41. Eagle Computer Training 
    42. Eagle High IT Training 
    43. EAST LONDON MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE 
    44. ED-U Options Academy 
    45. Ekasi IT Solutions Centre 
    46. Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training Centre Pty Ltd 
    47. Elangeni Training Institute 
    48. Elchees Software Solutions 
    49. Emalahleni Institute of Techno 
    50. Epitome Villa (Pty)Ltd 
    51. Eshybrand Pty Ltd 
    52. EYETHU NATIONAL COMPUTER COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    53. Finweb Business Consultancy 
    54. Foster-Melliar (Pty) Ltd 
    55. Fourways Private College 
    56. Futurekids SA (Fochville) 
    57. Genii Institute PTY LTD 
    58. Gigimo Tourism Academy 
    59. Global Institute for Capacity 
    60. Greater Tzaneen Community Foundation 
    61. Gurandbuilt Management Development 
    62. HAVOHEJ CONSULTANCY 
    63. Hazyview Computer College 
    64. Hectic Productions cc 
    65. HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY 
    66. Hlanganani ICT (Pty) Ltd 
    67. Home of Compassion/Grace Ministries 
    68. HUAWEI Technologies Africa (PTY) LTD 
    69. Ikusasa Technology Solutions 
    70. Ikusasalethu Youth Development Project NPC 
    71. iLearn Corporate Services PTY LTD 
    72. Information Technology Resource Centre 
    73. Inqubeko Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    74. IT Academy 
    75. IT-HI-Q Training (PTY) Ltd 
    76. Iyam Training Services 
    77. Jeppe College of Commerce and 
    78. K Boneng Consulting Services P 
    79. K Centre Business Enterprise (PTY) LTD 
    80. Keybase Training Solutions Cc 
    81. KN Training Specialist 
    82. KT Mobile Services 
    83. Kundani Trading 
    84. L and P Computer Academy Pty Ltd 
    85. LETAGO DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING 
    86. LIMPOPO COMPUTER COLLEGE BK 
    87. LINDAMAHLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (PTY) LTD 
    88. Loomee Group 
    89. LYFE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES (PTY) LTD 
    90. Makhophila Training 
    91. Malope It Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    92. Masakhane Training and Consult 
    93. Mash Computer Training 
    94. MBOWA COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    95. Metanoia Ratings PTY LTD 
    96. MMELA VILLAGE TECHNOLOGIES (PT 
    97. MND Training and Projects 
    98. Mogapi Education Group (Pty) Ltd 
    99. Motlhamme Executive Management 
    100. Moving Ahead Development Agenc 
    101. MP AVUXENI COMPUTER ACADEMY 
    102. Mpande Technologies cc 
    103. Mufuka Business and Technical 
    104. Musengavhadzimu Media 
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    106. NBC Technologies 
    107. NCC - Vereeniging 
    108. NCM Computer and Business Academy 
    109. Ndulita Solutions 
    110. New Era Computer Training Centre (Hidobyte CC) 
    111. New Link Computer Skills 
    112. Nolwazi Stem Education for The 
    113. Ntamunde Investment 
    114. Ntandokazi Holdings Pty Ltd 
    115. NW Avuxeni Computer Academy 
    116. Nyankwavi Inverstment 
    117. Nyathela Business College 
    118. Olrich Home of Technology 
    119. On the Ball College Pty ltd 
    120. OPELONG BUSINESS INSTITUTE (PT 
    121. Paramixed Pty Ltd 
    122. Parkton College of Catering & Tourism Studies 
    123. Peo Entle HIV Wellness Management and Youth Skills Development NPO 
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    125. Polokwane Technology Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    126. Pretoria Technical College 
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    131. QUARPHIX (PTY) LTD 
    132. Ramotec Business College 
    133. Rand Training College 
    134. Redefine Human Capital (PTY) L 
    135. Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology Pty Ltd 
    136. Rostec Technical FET College (Pty) Ltd 
    137. Sabile Human Resources Consult 
    138. SANDM IT TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    139. SED Computer Academy 
    140. Sesk Facilitation Development (PTY) LTD 
    141. Silulo Ulutho Technologies 
    142. Sisekelo Sustainability Institute 
    143. SIYAFUNDA COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY CENTRE NPC 
    144. SOUTH AFRICAN CORPORATE TRAINING ASSOCIATION (PTY) LTD 
    145. Spears Business and Life Couch Consulting (Pty) Ltd 
    146. Spina Consultancy 
    147. SPLS Consultants (Pty) Ltd 
    148. SUCCESS BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL CC 
    149. Success Christian Training Cen 
    150. SUPREME ICT CONSULTANTS 
    151. Synergistic Covenant Network NPO 
    152. Tech-Com Solutions cc 
    153. Techtisa (pty) Ltd 
    154. Terrawood 
    155. Terry Computer Services cc 
    156. Thalita Koume Directions (Pty) Ltd 
    157. The Finishing College (Pty) Lt 
    158. Think Tank T2 (Pty) Ltd 
    159. Titan Trade Technologies 
    160. Tlou Foundation College 
    161. TORQUE TECHNICAL COMPUTER TRAINING PTY LTD 
    162. TSP COLLEGE 
    163. TURFLOOP TRAINING SERVICES CC 
    164. Ubuhlanti Sances Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    165. Ukwazi Academy and Corporate S 
    166. Umbrella Training and Development 
    167. Umbusi Consulting Services 
    168. UTHINGO BRITE SERVICES 
    169. Varsity Institute of Science & Technology (Pty)Ltd 
    170. Visionary Skill Academy 
    171. VSS College (Pty) LTD 
    172. Vukani Solutions 
    173. VUTHLARI MARKETING CONSULTING 
    174. Waterberg TVET College 
    175. Wellinkwise Pty Ltd 
    176. Whitestone College 
    177. WORK SKILLS RESOURCES CC 
    178. Working Solution International 
    179. Xylo Trading 12 (Pty) Ltd 
    180. YITRO INNOVATIONS 
    181. Yonet Training Academy 
    182. ZA WIT (PTY) LTD 
    183. Zealot Business College 
    184. Zikode Development Trust 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.