The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has outlined plans to commission the semi-public operator Telkom to deliver free Wi-Fi internet connectivity at 171 Thusong service centres, which serve as integrated public access points providing citizens with essential government information and services.
The proposal specifies that these connections must meet certain standards, including a minimum speed of 30 Mbps. The initiative aims to offer unlimited internet access, with Telkom responsible for supplying and installing routers, firewalls, and cabling infrastructure. Users at each center will be limited to 300 MB of data per day, with a monthly cap of 2 GB per customer.
This move aligns with Telkom’s obligations under the Public Switched Telecommunications Services Licence awarded in 1997, which included a range of Universal Service and Access Obligations (USAOs). These obligations traditionally mandated the provision of basic telecommunications services, deployment of public coin-operated telephones, availability of emergency services, accessible facilities for users with special needs, and directory services. However, ICASA recognises that technological advancements, particularly the rise of mobile telephony, have rendered some of these historical obligations obsolete, prompting a review of these requirements.
Many Thusong service centres still lack reliable internet access, and the proposed Wi-Fi rollout is part of the government’s broader efforts to expand connectivity as part of its digital transformation strategy. Recently, the government allocated 710 million rand to continue implementing SA Connect, the national broadband policy. The second phase of this initiative aims to ensure that 80% of government offices, communities, and households have access to broadband. The first phase, which served as a pilot, focused on delivering 10 Mbps internet connectivity to nearly 970 public institutions, setting the stage for broader expansion.
