SA Wants To Provide High-Speed Internet To 1.7 Million Households

The South African government plans to connect 1.7 million households to high-speed internet. The project will be realised through the development of infrastructure that will be used by partner internet service providers (ISPs) to provide fee-based internet services.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, said the construction of infrastructure for access has not yet started.

In May 2023, the Treasury confirmed access to the allocated funds and the process to finally disburse the funds has started, he said.

Gungubele was responding to parliamentary questions from Inkatha Freedom Party MP Zandile Majozi.

Majozi wanted to know what progress had been made in implementing broadband rollout to households.

Gungubele said, “Currently, the appointment of professional service providers for detailed network designs is underway. These designs will facilitate households in accessing broadband services through public Wi-Fi.

“Negotiations with third-party site owners who possess locations where Broadband Infraco intends to share the infrastructure are currently underway. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are still being negotiated and drafts are circulating with continuous engagement with servitude owners to familiarise them with the project.”

He added that the appointment of equipment suppliers and installers (SMMEs) to facilitate the infrastructure roll-out is underway. Discussions are also underway with ISPs/WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers)/MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) to gather requirements.

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Development of the commercial model for partnerships with ISPs is underway, he said. “There are no households that have been provided access to internet access to date.”