South Africa has slipped one position to 91 in the ICT Development Index, which ranks 155 countries’ performance with regard to ICT infrastructure and uptake, while the country is ranked at number 98 in the ICT Price Basket, which tracks and compares the cost of affordability of ICT services in more than 160 countries globally.
These figures, which are contained in the newly released International Telecommunications Union (ITU) report – Measuring the Information Society 2012, were quoted by South African Minister of Communications Dina Pule on 15 October at a South African Communications Forum (SACF) event held in Johannesburg.
Said Minister Pule: “It is of concern that South Africa is ranked as the fourth cheapest country in Africa for the provision of ICT services and that we have been overtaken by much poorer countries.
“While the markets and conditions are different it is unfortunate that in Africa, Internet connectivity prices were almost seven times higher than in the Americas, and 20 times higher than Europe in 2011. We still have some way to go towards making affordable Internet access a reality for all South Africans.
“Facts and figures notwithstanding, South Africa still maintains a leadership role on the African continent in terms of ICT development. On the back of a very successful ICT Indaba, last week I attended the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) Congress in Doha, Qatar. The UPU regulates global postal services and is tasked with ensuring that the postal sector remains relevant in the digital age.
“The innovative use of ICT by the South African Post Office to geo-code addresses allows anyone with a GPS to find any home or business address. It is this type of creativity that has won us the approval of our African counterparts.’
She noted that South Africa’s mobile penetration rate exceeds 100%. “While mobile technology serves as an important tool for communication, it is television that is the most important disseminator of information for our people.
“Early this month we launched the Proof of Concept for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT). As we move towards digital migration let me add that Government will provide a 70% subsidy towards the cost of the set-top boxes (STBs) to five million of the poorest TV-owning households. The specifications for the decoders include internet capability and will ensure that millions of South Africans are given a ticket to the digital age. We envisage that the commercial rollout of DTT will occur in December.’
The Minister confirmed that South Africa’s Broadband Strategy and Implementation Plan has been finalised. “I wish to set aside a day to discuss these with the industry before the end of the year. We remain steadfast in achieving our target of 100% broadband penetration by 2020.
“I would like to quote from the National Development Plan which is the Department of Communications’ bible. “By 2030, ICT will underpin the development of a dynamic information society and knowledge economy that is more inclusive and prosperous. A seamless information infrastructure will meet the needs of citizens, business and the public sector, providing access to the wide range of services required for effective economic and social participation – at a cost and quality at least equal to South Africa’s competitors.’
Minister Pule took the opportunity to announce the launch of the Women in ICT Forum. “As part of government’s broader goal towards the empowerment of women and the attainment of gender equality, the Women in ICT Forum aims to develop the next generation of women leaders in the industry,’ she said.
