Mooketsi Mocumi, strategic communications and corporate affairs adviser. South Africa now has something the telecommunications sector has long called for: a costed, structured roadmap to achieve universal, meaningful connectivity. The proposed investment of roughly R142 billion to deliver 100Mbps broadband to all households by 2035 is ambitious, necessary and overdue. But the most important question…
Justin Mackenzie, managing director of VO Connect. There is a familiar moment in almost every connectivity procurement process. The technical discussions have taken place, coverage has been confirmed, and service levels have been outlined. Then the spreadsheet comes out, and the conversation narrows to a single question: can it be done for less? Price matters….
Pan-African telecommunications operator Paratus Group has announced that the launch of Paratus Essential Access to deliver priority connectivity to communities and emergency services across Africa. Essential services help communities thrive and flourish, but without connectivity, they cannot operate. Paratus Group is addressing this challenge head-on with their launch of Paratus Essential Access, a solution designed…
NPC commissioner Dr Tshepo Feela and DBSA CEO Boitumelo Mosako at the launch of the study. (Image source: Supplied) While South Africa has made substantial broadband gains over the past decade, the country is still far from achieving universal and meaningful connectivity. Connecting all South African households to high-speed broadband by 2035 will require investment…
Paul Colmer, executive member of WAPA. After years of planning, trials and technical validation, dynamic spectrum sharing has moved from regulatory aspiration to proven reality – and it happened faster than anyone in the industry expected. In late January 2026, stakeholders gathered in KwaZulu-Natal to witness the culmination of field trials that could fundamentally reshape…
Africa faces a major rural road access challenge, with nearly 60 per cent of its population unable to reach all-weather roads, a gap that continues to limit economic opportunities and access to essential services. Experts say Rwanda’s experience in expanding rural connectivity offers practical lessons that could help narrow the continent’s rural road deficit. This…
Every day, we send countless emails, take part in video calls, use search engines and streaming services, while seamlessly banking online. The exchange of data in the blink of an eye has become a given in much of the world – and yet we rarely pause to think about what makes it all possible: a…
AdNotes Pty Ltd and partners outside the newly established Olwandle High School Computer Lab. AdNotes, an award-winning internet service provider (ISP) in South Africa, is transforming education in rural and hard-to-reach areas by bridging the digital divide. With reliable internet connectivity and state-of-the-art computer labs, supported by key partners including the Council for Scientific and…
Peter Walsh, MD of CommsCloud. For years, connectivity was viewed merely as a basic utility − a necessary pipe to keep the lights on. In 2026, this mindset must fundamentally change. The dawn of truly intelligent, autonomous and prescriptive operational intelligence across Africa is dependent on a single truth: Connectivity must be treated as a…
Over 16 000 public schools in SA remain without basic connectivity. Poor connectivity and not poor ability is holding South African learners back, says Vuyani Jarana, CEO of Ilitha Telecommunications. Jarana was commenting on the 2025 matric class pass rate, saying it shows what’s possible, but sustaining progress depends on affordable digital access at home….
