R55m for rural broadband

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has allocated just more than R55.4 million of its 2010/11 budget for broadband connectivity at rural universities.

This is part of its commitment of more than R250 million for human capital development and infrastructure initiatives.

Minister Naledi Pandor approved the reprioritisation of the Departmental 2010/11 budget to support the increased output of high-level skills needed to support the National Research and Development Strategy, according to the DST.

Ministerial spokesperson Lunga Ngqengelele explains that the funds were initially budgeted for research chairs, but since there was a year's gap before the appointments were to be made, the department reprioritised the money, which will be handed to the National Research Foundation.

The department says the total allocation is R255.434 million, and R100 million will be used for specified human resources development initiatives; R50 million for scientific equipment under the national equipment programme; R50 million for emergency repairs and renewal of infrastructure and equipment at the national research facilities; and R55.434 million for provision of broadband connectivity to specified universities under the South African National Research Network.

The allocation of R55.434 million will ensure broadband connectivity to rural universities, including the universities of Limpopo and Walter Sisulu, it adds.

The DST recently launched its Innovation for Poverty Alleviation Programme, which will see, among other things, rural districts getting broadband connectivity through wireless networks.

Pandor explains that the programme is a partnership between the department and the European Union, which is worth EUR30 million.

The partnership's first project seeks to bring broadband connectivity to rural communities using a wireless mesh network.

Pandor says traditionally, telecommunications infrastructure could be set up by only a select few national or large regional telecommunications operators, mainly because they were the only ones that had the financial muscle, access to specialised expertise, and licences.

“However, as a result of technological advances in the field of wireless technology - WiFi - it is now possible for anyone with a bit of technical know-how to create direct wireless connections between devices such as computers.”

The project is currently in a trial phase in Mpumalanga. The target is to have an end-to-end Internet uptime of 95%.

The Department of Communications (DOC) recently said SA's broadband penetration remains very low, at around 2%.

A world broadband quality survey, conducted by Oxford University and networking company Cisco, also showed SA's minimal improvement from 60th out of 66 countries last year, to 42nd out of 72 countries this year.

The DOC says deputy minister Dina Pule has held strategic discussions around fast-tracking local broadband initiatives, especially in rural areas.

It adds that, because of SA's low broadband penetration rate, the DOC is keen to learn strategies on how to improve its broadband initiatives to support schools, hospitals and government.

The global community must ensure that every individual has access to basic broadband connectivity, according to Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation CEO Ekwow Spio-Garbrah.

“In an era where access to information and connectivity is of paramount importance to help bridge the north-south divide and urban-rural economic disparities, the global community must work in greater concert to ensure every individual has access to basic broadband connectivity for purposes of improved literacy, education, knowledge, commercial and business opportunities, and self-empowerment.”

In the 21st century, affordable, ubiquitous broadband networks will be as critical to social and economic prosperity as networks like transport, water and power, according to Hamadoun Tour'e, secretary-general of the International Telecommunications Union.