Responding to a question at National Assembly, regarding studies into broadband coverage, penetration and speed in the country, the minister said the department will endeavour to ensure broadband is cheaper.
“This we will address through several initiatives we will be taking in future, which will include the development and the implementation of the broadband strategy.”
Strategy delay
According to National Treasury's Estimates of National Expenditure, the Department of Communications (DOC) was allocated R450 million over the 2011 medium-term expenditure framework to develop a national broadband strategy.
The plan will "provide guidance to all role players in the ICT sector, develop a broadband policy for all spheres of government including public entities, and deliver the broadband infrastructure and services to under-serviced and rural areas".
Some R100 million was initially allocated in the 2011/12 financial year, increasing to R150 million in the 2012/13 year, and R200 million the year after that.
However, the department has yet to spend the R100 million set aside last year for the project, and the expenditure has now been adjusted. The DOC has now been allocated R100 million in 2012/13; R125 million in 2013/14; and R210 million in 2014/15.
Dedicated ICT
Studies regarding coverage, penetration and speed of broadband in SA show that household penetration is 12%, according to the minister.
Among households earning less than R5 000 per month and rural communities, the average penetration is less than 1%.
Only Gauteng and the Western Cape have broadband penetration of more than 10%.
Pule said business has an average penetration of 44%. Companies with 51 or more employees have an average penetration of 87%. Businesses with 10 or less employees have average penetration of about 16%.
Government penetration is around 80%, with some local government entities still not connected at all, added the minister.
“In terms of cost, on average, people are paying R350 to access broadband; this includes both urban and rural areas. This indicates that people can afford a third of the above-mentioned cost, which is R129. Therefore, this indicates that the cost of broadband is unaffordable for the vast majority of South Africans.”
Pule explained that these figures are still subject to verification with data from the Independent Communications Authority of SA through a broadband mapping exercise.
These results will inform the development of strategic interventions that the department will take to address identified challenges. “To this end, the department is in the process of establishing a dedicated ICT Geographic Information System to continuously monitor and analyse broadband coverage and penetration,” said Pule.
Human right
Ministries that engaged in the inaugural ICT Indaba, in June, set a target of delivering broadband to 80% of African citizens by 2020, since broadband communication has been declared a basic human right on the continent.
In January, the department said providing connectivity to impoverished rural communities was a key priority, because communications is a human right and facilitates development.
Pule said the department had identified 161 priority areas across the country, and the aim is to bridge the rural/urban divide by 2020.
“We intend to establish 400 access centres, including community post offices and outlets, for rural people to access communication services.”
Pule also reiterated the department's commitment, together with the ICT industry, to deliver 100% broadband penetration by 2020. “Taking note that the Broadband Policy was adopted by Cabinet in 2010, we are in the process of completing a broadband mapping study to identify the existing broadband infrastructure and services gaps.”
Analysts said the targets regarding the 100% penetration are admirable but unrealistic.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Farzana Rasool
Quelle/Source: ITWeb, 10.09.2012
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