Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Mondli Gungubele says internet connectivity and penetration rates have improved significantly.
According to the minister, internet connectivity and penetration rates have increased from just 21.1% in 2011 to an impressive 79% in 2022, raising public awareness in a world rapidly changing with digital technology. Masu.
This improvement is the result of work undertaken through the SA Connect broadband connectivity project, which aims to bridge the digital divide by providing Wi-Fi access to communities and ensuring universal access to the internet.
Phase 2 of the SA Connect project was launched by the government last year with the aim of delivering the core and access network infrastructure to enable broadband connectivity to community Wi-Fi hotspots that connect homes.
Speaking at a joint debate on the State of the Union Address (SONA) on Tuesday, the minister said the government will continue to connect rural and county areas with a target of 5.5 million households enabled by WIFI hotspots over the next three to four years. Ta.
Additionally, the government plans to connect 1.5 million households with WIFI hotspots by December 2024 and 747,000 households with 4,250 WIFI hotspots by the end of this fiscal year.
“To date, we can report that coverage of 361,000 households has been achieved with 2,502 WIFI hotspots. The work has been completed and will continue. 76 internet service providers will participate. This will create 4,500 direct jobs and many more indirect downstream jobs and opportunities,” Gungubele said.
spectrum
The government has released the spectrum above 700MHz for use by mobile operators, which will connect public institutions and deploy 4G and 5G technology across the country.
Spectrum availability paves the way to affordable, high-speed internet access for all.
“Through collaboration with the private sector, all eight metros have so far been connected to fiber optic, and we are expanding to more towns. As part of the implementation of the recommendations, we have embarked on several digital infrastructure projects to ensure transformation through access in a changing world,” the Minister said.
He said the Cabinet approved the Next Generation Spectrum Policy for Economic Development on November 25, 2023.
This policy is intended to support fixed mobile spectrum allocation and licensing. Broadcasting; Aviation and Maritime. research and development; community access, and other related industries.
The policy also aims to promote equity and fair distribution to contribute to the transformation of the sector and the accessibility of digital connectivity even in remote areas of the country.
The purpose of this policy is to address the gaps and limitations identified in the 2016 National Information and Communication Technology White Paper and to provide for the amendments to the relevant provisions of the Electronic Communications Act 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005), which: Contains the contents of
- Roles and responsibilities between ministers and authorities (ICASA) were unclear, which contributed to inefficiency
- Gap in spectrum management system
- A monopolistic spectrum regime that benefits a few larger players.and
- Inefficiencies in extending broadband access to rural, remote, and underserved areas.
“Working with mobile phone companies, we will connect over 21,878 public basic education institutions, health centers and clinics, public libraries, and offices/residences of traditional leaders to the internet over the next three years.
“4G connectivity is expanding to county and rural areas under democracy.”[meaning of] Tata roli hula hula mandela. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the great equalizer. Everyone in South Africa must and will have access to the latest digital technology.
“A digitally disconnected South Africa will automatically be excluded from future participation in the international community. The social and economic consequences will be devastating,” the minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
