The second phase of the SA Connect project has been approved for implementation in February 2022. It should guarantee access to broadband for both populations and essential public institutions, in a context of digital transformation accelerated.

The South African Department of Communications will receive an additional allocation of R3 billion ($163 million) in the financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25 for the implementation of phase 2 of the national broadband project, South Africa Connect (SA Connect). This is indicated by a document from the Public Treasury on the estimates of national expenditure within the framework of the 2023 budget.

The funds will be used for the acquisition of equipment, installation or rental of fiber optic infrastructure to extend information and communication technology (ICT) networks in underserved areas of the arc nation. -in sky.

“  Phase two also involves the National Information Technology Agency upgrading and connecting government sites from existing budgets, and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa imposing universal service obligations on operators. of mobile networks to connect 18,036 schools, 3,873 health establishments and 8,241 tribal authority sites  ”, indicates the Public Treasury.

It was in 2013 that the South African government launched the SA Connect project as part of the country’s broadband policy. It aims to ensure that all South Africans have access to broadband at lower cost. Phase 1 of the project served as an experimental module. It focused on providing Internet connectivity to 970 key public institutions. Phase 2 of the project was approved in February 2022.

The second phase of the South Africa Connect project should notably reduce the digital divide and increase broadband penetration in South Africa. It should also accelerate the government’s digital transformation project. The executive intends to connect 5.8 million sites to high-speed Internet by 2025/26.

Source: Agence Ecofin