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Project: ICT penetration in South Africa
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The Telecommunications Act, as amended mandates the Universal Service Agency, amongst other functions to:
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Conduct research into and keep abreast of developments in the republic and elsewhere on telecommunications services and information technology; and
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Continually survey and evaluate the extent to which universal service has been achieved.
It is within the context of USA's mandate that the ICT Penetration Project was conducted: to inform the government, the broader ICT sector and civil society the extent of ICT penetration, and its use. The study focused on fixed lines, mobile, community service telephones, public information terminals, community post offices, telecentres and school cyberlabs, and public libraries. The information is aggregated up to municipality level.
The study reveals that communities require different levels of interventions. For instance, there are still some areas do not have access to ICTs at all, whilst others are partially provided ICT services and other areas with full access to all the ICT infrastructure and services.
This study became more relevant as South Africa enters in its second decade of democracy and with the ICT sector in transition towards a more converged environment. This work will inform decision makers in their planning for the next roll out of ICT infrastructure and the provision of services.
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