Ten positions back

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), 2 April 2007

South Africa has slid backwards ten positions in the Networked Readiness Index. This is according to a report titled “The Global Information Technology Report 2006-2007” (GITR) released by the World Economic Forum.
 
How can this be the case if one takes into consideration positive developments such as increased broadband penetration, cost savings, et cetera?
 
A simple answer to this will be that too little was done in time to count towards good marks for South Africa.
 
Is this report of any significance?
 
Sure it is.
 
It ‘…compares 122 economies worldwide in the following areas: The regulatory/infrastructure environment for ICT; The readiness of individuals, businesses and governments to use and benefit from ICT; The actual usage of the last technology available’ (SA’s broadband and ICT environment worsen, Tarrant, Moneyweb, 31 March 2007). Also, according to one of the co-editors, Soumitra Dutta, the report in essence “provides a snapshot of countries’ weaknesses and strengths with regard to ICT development” (SA’s broadband and ICT environment worsen, Tarrant, Moneyweb, 31 March 2007).
 
In other words, it’s not a report one can ignore and hope that the weaknesses exposed by it will just go away. It gives a very good picture of what’s going on and what needs to be done.
 
How does South Africa compare to other countries?
 
Not favourable, even taking into consideration that South Africa is currently positioned at number 47 out of 122 countries measured.

‘Although we scored a mark of four, compared to Denmark's 5,71 rating, we rank behind many other countries we should be ahead of. The hotbed of ICT action that is Barbados is a new entry at position 40! Jamaica also beats us (at 45), with Mediterranean island nations Malta and Cyprus both one-upping SA. Conversely, countries you'd hope are way ahead of us, are only marginally better than SA. India, for example, scores a 4,06, only three positions higher than ours!’ (SA’s broadband and ICT environment worsen, Tarrant, Moneyweb, 31 March 2007).
 
In other words, while South Africa is not the only country that has slid backwards, we’re not in the position we’re suppose to be.
 
What about key measurements for South Africa?
 
The key measurements are: 

• Internet users per 100 inhabitants  = 10.8

• Internet bandwidth = 0.2 Mbps per 10 000 inhabitants

‘One could argue that our internet users figure compares quite favourably with first-ranked Denmark (52,6 per 100 people). However, South Africa's bandwidth situation is dismal. Denmark has 348,3 Mbps per 10 000 people, a 1 700% difference!’ (SA’s broadband and ICT environment worsen, Tarrant, Moneyweb, 31 March 2007).
 
In other words, while the key measurements does not tell a story of gloom and destruction, it does not tell a story of pride and glory either.
 
Can you give us an example of a success story in this regard?
 
Yes. Ethopia provides us with an example of such a success story.
 
Ethopia “…despite being one of the [African] continent's poorest countries, [Ethopia] is spending nearly one tenth of its GDP on information technology every year” (SA’s broadband and ICT environment worsen, Tarrant, Moneyweb, 31 March 2007). Also, Ethopia has “committed huge resources to seeing that by 2007 all of its 74m people live no more than a few kilometres from a broadband connection” (SA’s broadband and ICT environment worsen, Tarrant, Moneyweb, 31 March 2007).
 
In other words, Ethopia is doing a lot despite obvious drawbacks, no wonder more is expected from South Africa, which is definitely not one of the poorest countries on the continent.
 
Any hope for South Africa?
 
Of course. We’re sure by next year this time South Africa’s rating will be much higher.
 
We say this because:

• ICT growth and development  – ‘We have seen renewed emphasis on ICT growth and development from both Thabo Mbeki and his deputy’ (SA’s broadband and ICT environment worsen, Tarrant, Moneyweb, 31 March 2007).

• New ECA act – ‘Regulatory hurdles remain, but the new ECA act offers some major pluses’ (SA’s broadband and ICT environment worsen, Tarrant, Moneyweb, 31 March 2007).

• Neotel  – South Africa’s second national fixed line operator (SNO) will definitely contribute towards reasonable broadband prices in South Africa.

• Soccer World Cup – We believe the coming Soccer World Cup might just push things in the right direction.

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) is convinced the broadband South Africa picture will look much better by this time next year.