Broadband and connectivity is a priority for South Africa over the next five years. This is according to President Jacob Zuma, who delivered his State of the Nation Address yesterday evening.
“In addition to our major energy security interventions, we will continue to implement the successful National Infrastructure Plan, under the supervision of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission, throughout the country,” he says.
“During the past five years, we invested about one trillion rand in new infrastructure to provide water, energy, transport, sanitation, schools and clinics and internet connections to our people.
“Over the next three years, we will spend R847-billion on the infrastructure and several projects are to be started or completed.”
Among these are the 60 MeerKAT satellite dishes to be built over the next five years, and a start made on the first 100 dish antennas for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).
“We will expand, modernise and increase the affordability of information and communications infrastructure and electronic communication services, including broadband and digital broadcasting,” the president says.
In line with this, cabinet adopted “South Africa Connect”, the country’s Broadband Policy and Strategy, in December last year.
“We will continue with various other infrastructure projects that will change the living conditions of our people and boost economic growth.”
