Latest news with #SAConnect
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Community Wifi, MVNO and the rise of hybrid communications providers
SA Connect is the South African government's national broadband policy and strategy. This framework aims to deliver universal, affordable internet access to all citizens. Launched in 2013, the initiative seeks to connect government institutions, schools, healthcare facilities, and underserved communities to fast and reliable internet. As part of the programme, the government aims to deliver full broadband coverage by 2030, ensuring that every South African, regardless of location, can participate in the digital economy. But as the government works on longer-term broadband infrastructure projects, like SA Connect, there is a significant opportunity for ISPs to fill these connectivity gaps. Introducing the hybrid carriers In the past, a company might specialise in offering fibre networks, and that's the only field they played in. But this has changed. To compete, you need to expand your offerings. This trend is driving the rise of hybrid carriers; service providers that find other ways to connect communities. Hybrid carriers and ISPs are companies that combine multiple connectivity technologies or service models to deliver internet access more efficiently and affordably, especially in areas where a single approach falls short. These hybrid players are usually smaller than the more traditional telcos, and they're able to succeed by servicing the more isolated and underserved communities. They're typically more agile and can deploy modern connectivity solutions at pace. This agility also allows them to experiment with innovative service models that might be unfavourable to larger, more traditional providers. Fibre companies like those mentioned above face multiple obstacles in deploying new infrastructure to remote township communities, such as obtaining demand and intent confirmation and securing municipal approval. The time and cost associated with digging or erecting fibre lines is another barrier. Couple this with the reality that many of these communities are unbanked and have constrained disposable income, which limits their ability to sign on for debit payments and what they can afford to spend on data or subscriptions. Additionally, smaller user bases and lower ARPU (average revenue per user) mean that the financial return on these infrastructure investments is typically far lower. The business case for Community Wifi Underserved South African communities alone represent R26 billion in annual spending power, much of which remains disconnected from digital commerce and services. Across these underserved areas, community Wifi has the potential to empower people by allowing them to connect to the Internet. In action, a Community Wifi model will see subscribers buying prepaid vouchers that they can use to get online at different Wifi hotspots across their community, be it their local supermarket or the cafè down the road. For a small fee of around R5 or R10, community members can access the Internet for a day as they move about connecting to different hotspots across their community. For a fibre operator, offering this additional service makes good business sense because the average person might not be able to afford their fibre services, but can afford to connect for a small daily fee. Now, this single fibre point might be servicing a few hundred people, and that small daily fee equates to a positive return on investment. In this way, they're able to make money where fibre isn't a good fit, while also driving digital inclusion because the solution is more affordable. In addition to fixed and hotspot coverage, hybrid carriers also represent the next frontier in MVNO growth, with many ISPs leveraging their existing presence in underserved communities to roll out mobile services. This omni-service approach ensures that providers are able to service their customers at home, at their destination and anywhere in between. While expanding your service offerings opens up new business opportunities, it can also increase billing complexity. Many OSS (Operational Support System) / BSS (Business Support System) vendors offer billing software that caters to a specific type of billing, but few are equipped to meet the complex and evolving needs of hybrid carriers. To scale effectively, hybrid telcos need flexible, integrated billing systems that can support their growing needs and cater to multiple disparate services, like mobile (MVNO), fixed line, fixed wireless and fibre, as well as the voucher inventory, distribution and redemption requirements associated with community WiFi or prepaid mobile. Across our portfolio of products and services, VAS-X remains committed to supporting providers looking to bridge the digital divide with capable and cost effective solutions..
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
South Africa Media Landscape Report 2025: South Africa's Pay-TV Subscribers to Reach 9.5 Million by 2029
Discover the latest trends in South Africa's media landscape with this comprehensive report, offering insights into the television, SVOD, and telecommunications sectors with a focus on sports broadcasting. Examine market growth forecasts to 2029, analyzing pay-TV, mobile, and broadband markets for effective strategy building. Dublin, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "South Africa Media Landscape" report has been added to South Africa Media Landscape Report provides an overview of the television, SVOD and telecommunications market in relation to sports broadcasting in South Africa today, with top-level data and detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2029. The report analyses the television, mobile handset and residential fixed-line broadband sectors, as well as a review of major sports media Scope Pay-TV operators had 8.9 million subscribers in 2024. Total pay-TV subscriptions will grow by approximately 577,000 over the forecast period, reaching 9.5 million in 2029. Direct-to-home (DTH) satellite will remain the only pay-TV platform in the country over the next five years. South Africa had an estimated 5.4 million subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) accounts at the end of 2024, an increase of 756,000 or 16.3% from 2023. South Africa makes up the largest proportion of SVOD subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa's SVOD accounts are expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.6% over the forecast period, reaching 8.1 million in 2029. Total mobile subscriptions in South Africa reached an estimated 132.6 million in 2024. Over the 2024-2029 forecast period, mobile operators will add a combined 14.0 million mobile subscribers at a CAGR of 2.0%, bringing the country's total mobile subscriptions to 146.6 million in 2029. Total fixed broadband lines in South Africa will increase from 2.3 million in 2024 to 3.5 million by the end of 2029, supported by ongoing investments by the telcos and internet service providers in modernizing fixed broadband network services across South Africa. The SA Connect initiative aims to provide 100% of South Africa's population to fixed broadband speeds of 10 Mbps and 80% of the population to 100 Mbps speeds by 2030. Reasons to Buy This Sports Broadcasting Media Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of the South African television, SVOD and telecommunications markets, and service providers in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies. Accompanying the analyst's Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in South Africa's pay-TV, SVOD, mobile handset and residential fixed broadband markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares. With 22 charts and tables, the report is designed for an executive-level audience, boasting presentation quality. Key Topics Covered: Population and household context Television services market Sports rights market Mobile services market: Handsets Fixed broadband services market: Residential Total services revenue Data tables Company Coverage: Amazon Prime Video eMedia MTN MultiChoice Netflix SABC Showmax StarSat SuperSport Telkom Vodacom For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Sign in to access your portfolio
IOL News
30-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Starlink 'Deal' Exposes BBBEE Ideological Fault Lines
President Cyril Ramaphosa met with South African-born tech billionaire Elon Musk on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 24, 2024. Of major concern is the notion that Starlink is the only, or even the best, option for satellite internet is misleading, says the writer. Image: Picture: Presidency Reneva Fourie ON MAY 23, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, issued a policy directive proposal offering alternatives to broad-based black economic empowerment. This follows a policy directive to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) requiring it to investigate whether to open up applications for individual electronic communications network services (ECNS) licences. These announcements coincided with engagements between Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump during a trip to the United States. A deal with Starlink was publicly advocated in a public session related to the meeting. Some critics believe that the directives have been introduced specifically to help Starlink enter the market in a way that isn't completely straightforward. This concern is reasonable. During a meeting with the Portfolio Committee on 27 May, Minister Malatsi discussed the purpose of these new directives but struggled to explain why such major changes are needed. This uncertainty has left many people questioning who will benefit from these directives. Despite the controversy, it is essential to acknowledge that South Africa does face substantial connectivity challenges, especially in remote and underserved areas. According to ICASA's 2025 State of the ICT Sector Report, 3G and 4G coverage is nearly universal, with 3G at 99.79% and 4G at 99.07%. However, broadband quality remains a pressing issue. The report reveals that South Africa ranks 102 out of 154 countries in fixed broadband speed, with average download speeds at 48.51 Mbps and upload speeds at 39.75 Mbps. Furthermore, only 82.06 per cent of the country has broadband access, mainly driven by terrestrial fixed wireless broadband, highlighting the persistent digital divide, particularly in rural communities. The national broadband strategy, SA Connect, was intended to bridge this gap, but its implementation has faltered, failing to deliver on its promise of accessible, high-quality, and affordable connectivity. Against this backdrop, satellite internet offers an appealing solution. It has the potential to rapidly extend internet access to rural and hard-to-reach areas without the massive infrastructure investment required for terrestrial networks. It is within this context that many view the entry of operators like Starlink as a potentially valuable development if managed equitably and transparently. The framework that governs the provision of electronic communications services (ECS) and networks (ECNS) in South Africa is dictated by the Electronic Communications Act (ECA). Under the current regime, new entrants must obtain individual ECS and ECNS licences from ICASA. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies grilled Minister Solly Malatsi on his draft policy directive relating to the Equity Equivalence Investment Programme and applications for licencing in the ICT sector, Cape Town, May 27, 2025. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers However, such licences are not readily available and can only be issued if the Minister of Communications and Technologies issues an Invitation to Apply (ITA). As it stands, the only feasible route is through the acquisition of licences from existing holders, a process both cumbersome and time-consuming. Compounding this challenge is the ECA's requirement that licensees must be at least 30% owned by historically disadvantaged individuals or groups. This stipulation is a cornerstone of South Africa's efforts to address systemic economic inequality and is a critical component of the B-BBEE framework. The Minister's policy directive allows for multinationals to make EEIPs as an alternative to direct equity transfer. While this provision aims to uphold the spirit of empowerment, it also introduces a degree of flexibility that, if abused, could undermine the transformative goals of the original policy. The core concern for many observers is not the inclusion of satellite operators per se, but the apparent preferential treatment of Starlink, a company led by Elon Musk – who has a contentious relationship with South Africa and has been accused of using his international platform to discredit the country. Reports suggest that Musk has lobbied extensively for Starlink to bypass the B-BBEE regulations, advocating for preferential procurement and regulatory exemptions. In December 2022, Starlink indefinitely paused its plans to launch in the country. Nevertheless, companies that facilitate the import and activation of Starlink's regional roaming services have brought Starlink kits into the country prompting ICASA to issue a formal notice declaring that using Starlink locally is illegal. The timing of the directives, shortly after engagements with former President Trump – a Musk ally – has fuelled speculation that the Minister's policy interventions are politically motivated and tailored to facilitate Starlink's market entry without due legislative or regulatory process. If true, this would not only set a dangerous precedent but also effectively bypass Parliament, thereby undermining the rule of law and institutional checks and balances. Another major concern is the potential erosion of South Africa's regulatory integrity. Licensing under the ECA is a tightly governed process intended to ensure that all market participants are subject to the same rules and standards. In addition, ICASA is refining a Licensing Framework for Satellite Services. By issuing directives that circumvent these established protocols, the Minister risks destabilising the sector and weakening ICASA's authority. Of major concern is that the notion that Starlink is the only, or even the best, option for satellite internet is misleading. Alternative providers such as China's Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company offer more advanced technology with significantly higher transmission speeds. Satellite service providers should be selected based on the best strategic choice for the country. South Africa needs to proceed with caution as it works through the challenges of expanding its digital services, updating regulations, and managing relationships with other countries. While providing everyone with internet access is important and urgent, the approaches taken must be affordable, reliable, transparent and fair. If South Africa decides to allow satellite companies into the market, it should still follow the laws already in place or make appropriate changes through Parliament. Additionally, foreign companies should not be allowed to push aside local policies that aim to support economic fairness and social justice. South Africa must stand firm against pressure to make decisions that benefit a small group of people at the cost of the larger community. The country's future in technology relies not just on making sure people can connect but also on fair governance and upholding the law. * Dr Reneva Fourie is a policy analyst specialising in governance, development and security. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
