Kathy Gibson reports from SATNAC 2014 – Among the challenges of the broadband divide is the fact that people who work in urban areas may not be able to connect in their homes.
This is because broadband is currently concentrated in built up cities and results in a separation of those who have ICT and those who don’t.
Suraj Ramlall, chief technology officer of Saab Grintek, points out that while most South Africans have voice coverage, there is no ubiquitous broadband availability.
“It is a tragedy. We are one of the leading economies in Africa but just 2,2 people in every 100 have access to broadband.” Compounding this is the fact that other countries in Africa have a much higher penetration of broadband.
Ramlall stresses the GSMA statistic that says a 10% increase in broadband penetration should result in an economic growth of 1,38%.
“Today we still have children being educated in mud schools. But an increase in broadband penetration could realise an GDP growth the will at least be comparable to the rest of Africa.
“We could improve the economy and improve the lives of people.”
Challenges include a low return on investment, poor accessibility to some rural areas, damage to infrastructure and a difficulty in providing support.
In addition, only 2,8% of people’s average spend is on communication so there is an affordability issues.
Regulation remains a challenges as well, with spectrum still not being made available and no direction forthcoming on the Digital Dividend.
Ubiquitous broadband is probably not feasible using fibre (expensive) or copper (subject to theft), Ramlall says.
Wireless would seem to be the answer, although LTE and 3G are still expensive to deploy. Satellite is looking increasingly like a good solution to ubiquitous broadband, he adds.
Satellite can be set up to supply Internet connectivity to consumers as well as schools, businesses and governments, while enabling public WiFi hotspots.
And, with three different satellite technologies available, there are solutions for most use cases, Ramlall says.
Existing Ka-band satellites can cover South Africa seamlessly, while being cost effective and easy to install, he points out.
Saab Grintek is currently running a proof of concept project to connect remote government department sites back to the head office, providing 4Mbps connectivity.
“Ka-band has the capability to improve education, to allow citizens to realise a better life; to take government into rural areas to deliver services,” Ramlall says. “It has the capability to allow people to empower themselves.
“Satellite is complementary to other technologies, but it can extend the local loop to reach communities that are not reached currently.”