Despite other challenges facing his administration, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, used this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) to highlight digital inclusion as a key challenge that must be overcome for socio-economic growth for his country.
According to Ramaphosa, big data cuts and free allocation of daily data for users would need to be negotiated between the telecom industry regulator as the competition umpire and South Africa’s largest network providers.
“This is an important step to improve lives, bring people into the digital economy, and stimulate online businesses,” Ramaphosa stated during the SONA delivered on February 13, 2020.
Stressing the importance of digital economy, the president stated:
“The digital economy will increasingly become a driver of growth and a creator of employment.”
Ramaphosa gave digital inclusion prominence in his address in spite of prevailing challenges such as the Eskom power failures, high unemployment rates and South African Airways running out of funding.
He also mentioned that an important driver in South Africa’s success as a digital economy relies greatly on access to high-demand and reliable spectrum.
“The regulator, ICASA, has undertaken to conclude the licensing of high-demand spectrum for industry via auction before the end of 2020,” he said.
“Because of additional requirements, the licensing of the wireless open-access network – or WOAN – is likely to be completed during the course of next year.”
*Source: IT News Africa