Could soon be a reality: South Africa to instigate FREE wireless connectivity across all vulnerable communities.
South Africa (13 August 2021) – South Africa is currently considering the instigation of a new plan to give free basic data to low-income users (akin to the stipends currently offered for water and electricity) and to make high-speed broadband available in every community by the year 2023/24.
This new initiative lies in accordance with the National Infrastructure Plan published by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) this week, which focuses on the government’s planned developments in the next three years.
“The majority of mobile subscribers are pre-paid, at a cost significantly higher than for postpaid (contract),” the department says.
“For example, in 2020, the cost of 1GB prepaid data was…more than double that for postpaid data.”
The IAB SA says all South Africans, especially vulnerable groups and those without access to mobile phones, have the right to access information online, from government services, employment opportunities or online education resources. This company, which empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in a digital economy, kick-started a campaign in 2018 already. Through this initiative, it’s echoing the plead of South Africans to have free basic access to the internet.
“As the right to information is one of our constitutional rights, it follows that South Africans should have the ability to access this information freely,” Chris Borain, chair of the IAB SA, says.
“We believe in fostering digital equality among all citizens. While Icasa is taking great strides to address the high cost of data, a basic level of free internet access is a separate issue that requires as much attention,” he adds.
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