Mapping ICT access in South Africa

Abstract

The current and future capacity of South Africa to generate and sustain access to information and communication technologies (ICT) for its citizens is an important development priority. The Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (ASGISA), launched by government in 2006, identified key factors which are affecting South Africa's drive to achieve 6% economic growth and to halve unemployment and poverty in South Africa by 2014. One of these factors is the cost of telecommunications. Together, the cost of telecommunications and the availability of ICT infrastructure will crucially facilitate or frustrate attempts to improve levels of access to ICT. Although the digital divide is visible in South Africa, the spatial dimensions of the distribution of ICT access in South Africa has not been systematically analysed. This report seeks to explore this important issue by mapping access to ICT, in order to maximise development opportunities, and to facilitate planning.