South Africa is undergoing a digital transformation in its telecommunications industry, with key domains such as international and long-distance connectivity, last mile connectivity, and data centres shaping its digital future. The ICT industry has played a vital role in lessening the digital divide and enabling citizens from rural and underserved regions to access the internet and digital services. The National Infrastructure Plan 2050 prioritizes high-speed internet and advocates for effective e-government services in healthcare, education, and service delivery at affordable prices to achieve universal broadband infrastructure coverage. Initiatives like the SA Connect Programme and the Broadband Access Fund are bridging the digital divide by providing Wi-Fi access to underprivileged communities and a SA Connect Gigabit Mesh Network in Greater Kokstad.
South Africa’s Digital Transformation: Powering a New Era of Connectivity
Hon. Mondli Gungubele, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, highlights the three key domains that are shaping the digital future of South Africa – International and Long-Distance Connectivity, Last Mile Connectivity, and South Africa’s Data Centre Market. The telecommunications industry in South Africa has played a crucial role in lessening the digital divide, enabling more citizens, particularly those from rural and underserved regions, to access the internet and digital services.
South Africa’s telecommunications sector is witnessing a revolutionary change reminiscent of the global digital revolution. The Conext Connect Conference recently served as the platform for this transition, attracting a diverse group of visionaries, industry stalwarts, and dedicated entrepreneurs. Hon. Mondli Gungubele, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, graced the conference with his noteworthy presence, emphasizing the significant role the ICT industry holds in South Africa’s socio-economic advancement.
Shaping the Digital Future: Key Domains
Minister Gungubele underscored three pivotal areas of connectivity that are sculpting the digital future of South Africa – International and Long-Distance Connectivity, Last Mile Connectivity, and South Africa’s Data Centre Market.
International and Long-Distance Connectivity is the first arena. Sub-Saharan Africa is harnessing the power of satellite connectivity to overcome hurdles related to remote region connectivity. This has been instrumental in broadening the reach of internet access. Thanks to the collective effort among African nations in space programs, the space economy of the continent now boasts a whopping value of $20 billion.
Last Mile Connectivity and Data Centre Market
In the realm of Last Mile Connectivity, more than 7 million fixed broadband connections had been reported in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2023. Countries like South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania, and Cote d’Ivoire witnessed this growth surge, primarily driven by a marked increase in the adoption of fibre connections.
Even so, hurdles remain in achieving comprehensive fibre broadband penetration. The industry is continually striving to overcome these deployment roadblocks. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is a promising solution that is gaining attention, with roughly 80% of global mobile service providers offering FWA packages.
In alignment with worldwide trends, South Africa’s data centre market is experiencing noteworthy growth. By 2026, the market is expected to hold a considerable portion of the anticipated $5 billion investment in the African data centre market.
Towards a Digitally Inclusive Nation
The telecommunications industry in South Africa underwent a significant transformation due to liberalisation, evolving from a state-controlled monopoly to a sector guided by administrative justice and transparency. Key players like ICASA, the sector regulator, and the Competition Commission, the competition law body, have offered regulatory certainty and stability to the market.
Such transformative steps taken by the digital sector in South Africa have played a crucial role in lessening the digital divide. The ICT industry, with a market size pegged at R320 billion, has enabled more citizens, particularly those from rural and underserved regions, to access the internet and digital services.
The National Infrastructure Plan 2050, a government blueprint for achieving universal broadband infrastructure coverage, exemplifies these efforts. This plan prioritizes high-speed internet and encourages the integration of digital infrastructure into both public and private sectors. Furthermore, it advocates for effective e-government services in healthcare, education, and service delivery at affordable prices.
Census 2022 data reveals remarkable progress in digital access, with internet service-enabled households jumping to 79% in 2022 from just 35% in 2011.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Noteworthy Initiatives
This digital progress can be partly attributed to initiatives like the SA Connect Programme. Executed by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies through Broadband Infraco (BBI) and Sentech, the program aims to bridge the digital divide by connecting government institutions and providing Wi-Fi access to underprivileged communities nationwide.
In November 2023, the Department, in collaboration with BBI, initiated the Broadband Access Fund (BAF), a pilot program supported by the Presidential Stimulus Fund. The fund, designed to broaden access to the digital economy and catalyze positive socio-economic change in communities, resulted in the establishment of a SA Connect Gigabit Mesh Network in Greater Kokstad, offering high-speed internet access to 1,600 households.
In this fast-paced digital age, robust alliances between the government and the private sector are critical to South Africa’s digital future. As Minister Gungubele rightly asserted, it is through these synergies that South Africa will realize its vision of a prosperous, digitally inclusive nation, leaving no one behind.
What are the key domains shaping South Africa’s digital future?
The three key domains shaping South Africa’s digital future are International and Long-Distance Connectivity, Last Mile Connectivity, and South Africa’s Data Centre Market.
How is Sub-Saharan Africa harnessing satellite connectivity to overcome hurdles related to remote region connectivity?
Sub-Saharan Africa is harnessing the power of satellite connectivity to overcome hurdles related to remote region connectivity. This has been instrumental in broadening the reach of internet access, and the space economy of the continent now boasts a whopping value of $20 billion.
What is the status of Last Mile Connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa?
More than 7 million fixed broadband connections had been reported in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2023. Countries like South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania, and Cote d’Ivoire witnessed this growth surge, primarily driven by a marked increase in the adoption of fibre connections. Hurdles remain in achieving comprehensive fibre broadband penetration, and the industry is continually striving to overcome these deployment roadblocks.
What is Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)?
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is a promising solution that is gaining attention, with roughly 80% of global mobile service providers offering FWA packages.
How is South Africa working towards achieving comprehensive broadband infrastructure coverage?
The National Infrastructure Plan 2050 is a government blueprint for achieving universal broadband infrastructure coverage. This plan prioritizes high-speed internet and encourages the integration of digital infrastructure into both public and private sectors. Furthermore, it advocates for effective e-government services in healthcare, education, and service delivery at affordable prices.
What initiatives are being taken to bridge the digital divide in South Africa?
Initiatives like the SA Connect Programme and the Broadband Access Fund are bridging the digital divide by providing Wi-Fi access to underprivileged communities and a SA Connect Gigabit Mesh Network in Greater Kokstad. The government and private sector partnerships are critical to achieving South Africa’s vision of a prosperous and digitally inclusive nation.
