Broadband: The opportunity of the century

The invention of the printing press is regarded as the enabler by which the human race leapt forward in making knowledge widely accessible and improved almost every aspect of life on the planet.

In 1998 I went on record in Financial Mail, with predictions on what winning technologies might emerge in the near future that would also impact on every aspect of life and business in the coming years. I specifically referred to the development of wireless, at that time in its infancy, and e-commerce, which had yet to reach its potential.

Since then, the capabilities of wireless technology have grown in leaps and bounds and it now lies on another threshold - `seamless mobility`, which can be described as a new wave, with emphasis on the word `seamless`.

This means users can move geographically and continue to work, use their laptop computers, cellphones, etc, without the need to be aware that their systems have switched their method of connection. It happens automatically as one moves around, and is made possible due to the recent advances in wireless technology.

E-commerce has been growing at a rate of over 20% and is now very definitely mainstream. The survival and growth of companies like Amazon.com, eBay and others are evidence of the trend towards online purchasing.

Therefore, technology is getting to a point where it is becoming available to the masses. However, this is not happening fast enough and that can be attributed to a lack of understanding and appreciation of what it can do for social upliftment and change.

Broadband connectivity is the next great modern enabler. It is the one that will not only revolutionise the manner in which business is conducted, but also the lives of ordinary people. It is capable of enhancing the quality of life around the globe, as well as the knowledge and productivity of businesses and individuals.

The consequences attached to making broadband connectivity freely available, could have 10 times the magnitude of the effect that the introduction of affordable jet air travel to the masses has had.

The availability of broadband connections should be regarded as essential as that of clean water and electricity - it is a social and business enabler of enormous significance.

Broadband connectivity has the ability to change society completely and yield a greater quality of life to those who have it.

Viv Crone, chief technical officer at Spescom and president of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers.

Increasingly, modern businesses deal mainly with the manipulation of symbols or knowledge only. If physical goods are handled, this often forms only a portion of the business. With broadband connectivity, the geographic location of these businesses is far less important, because it can provide the same exposure to a small business located in a rural area as a large business in a commercial centre. Business people can conduct the company`s affairs from any connected location including their homes, cutting down on fuel consumption, traffic congestion and pollution - to name but some of the possibilities.

Education and knowledge can be brought to the poorest of communities, even in the most remote regions, in any country.

Broadband connectivity has the ability to change society completely and yield a greater quality of life to those who have it.

In SA, there is a lack of imagination and possibly even understanding, of the enabling power of broadband connectivity and there are issues surrounding the availability and quality of connections. Instead of recognising the fact that this development is the modern day re-invention of the printing press, we are squabbling over market spoils when provision of broadband connectivity could be the means by which poor communities can be uplifted by amplifying their capacity and enabling them to join the mainstream.

In the developing world, SA is particularly well positioned to take the lead in showing how a modern society can be improved and changed.

In this country we understand how to use technology to help the less privileged to move across the digital divide. In the past we have shown that we have the vision to implement a `technology for all` philosophy, as shown in our successful electrification and supply of clean water supply to communities previously deprived of vital services.

Why should broadband connectivity not be seen in the same way, and offered as a national service, along with the other essentials?

It is not too late for this country to change its perspective on broadband connectivity from one of a mere value proposition to that of a key enabler that can be exploited to the full.

If this shift in stance were to be effected it could unquestionably propel SA to the front of the `emerging economies` pack. The result could also be to position SA as a leader, exemplifying a nation and society capable of extracting maximum benefits from technology advances and using them to build a better society and future for all of its people.