SA broadband far below average

Johannesburg - South Africa's internet broadband penetration is at two percent, far below the global average of 22.5%, Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda said on Thursday.

"The statistics put the global rate of average penetration for broadband at a mere 22 and half percent, with South Africa only accounting for just over one million broadband connections which translate to a penetration rate of only two percent," he said.

"We have not been able to meet the objective of ensuring that as many people as possible have access to what is undoubtedly rapidly becoming a basic tool, the internet," Nyanda said in a speech prepared for delivery at the National Broadband Policy Colloquium in Midrand.

He said this situation ran counter to the government's desire to create an "inclusive, information society".

"Statistics tell us that broadband penetration in our country is low because of, among other things, the lack of adequate infrastructure and the high cost of accessing broadband services," he said.

The minister promised to partner with affected communities and build the necessary infrastructure.

He said government agencies and parastatals had "a key role to play in helping the country move with precision in the roll out of required infrastructure to ensure the availability of accessible and affordable broadband services."

Government initiatives could be used to reach communities without internet access and which were not financially viable for private-sector companies to invest in.

- Sapa