South Africa Launches Project to Provide Internet Access to 5 Million Households

Deputy President Paul Mashatile announced on Wednesday that the South African government is launching the SA Connect program to provide internet access to 5 million households across the country over the next three years. The ambitious project, spearheaded by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, aims to bridge the digital divide by extending connectivity to schools, health facilities, government sites, and communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

The SA Connect program is expected to create around 4,505 direct employment opportunities for skilled professionals and semi-skilled workers. It will also provide opportunities for 75 SMME companies, including three youth-owned, two women-owned, and one owned by a person with a disability. The government is partnering with local SMMEs, internet service providers, and mobile virtual network operators to deploy the necessary infrastructure.

Mashatile emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring meaningful universal connectivity and empowering SMMEs to participate in the digital economy by providing affordable access to reliable and safe internet services. "The government is committed to ensuring that the deployment of broadband reaches all communities, regardless of geographic location, socioeconomic status, race, or gender," he stated.

Why this matters: The SA Connect program is a significant step towards digital inclusivity in South Africa. By providing internet access to millions of households, the project has the potential to transform society, improve the lives of the poor and marginalized, and create new opportunities for education, healthcare, and economic growth.

The SA Connect program is being implemented by the Broadband Infraco (BBI) and SENTECH entities, in partnership with the ICT industry. The goal is to provide 32,055 community Wi-Fi hotspots and connect 5.6 million households over the next three years. By the end of the current financial year, the government aims to have connected 700,000 households nationwide.

Phase 2 of the project, which will be officially launched by Deputy President Mashatile on April 19, 2024, is expected to connect more than 42,000 government facilities, including schools, health facilities, post offices, police stations, and government offices, to broadband services. It will cover eight rural district municipalities and build on the success of Phase 1, which has already connected over 751,232 households and 4,366 community Wi-Fi hotspots in 11 district municipalities.

The government has set aside over R2 billion for the connectivity project and is seeking additional funding from other agencies to ensure that all South Africans are connected. Mashatile noted that the internet connections will help local businesses expand their operations and encouraged the youth to consider careers in ICT and engineering to participate in the digital economy.

The launch event for Phase 2 will provide an opportunity for the Deputy President to interact with the surrounding communities and witness the progress made in providing core access to network infrastructure. Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, expressed his support for the project, stating that it is a collaborative effort to deliver broadband services to South African citizens and promote the country's digital economy.

Key Takeaways

• SA Connect program to provide internet to 5 million households in 3 years
• 4,505 direct jobs and opportunities for 75 SMMEs, including youth and disabled-owned
• Aims to bridge digital divide, empower SMMEs, and ensure universal connectivity
• Phase 2 to connect 42,000 government facilities to broadband by 2024
• Over R2 billion set aside, seeking more funding to connect all South Africans