Budget 2016: Government will increase funding for the country's ambitious SA Connect national broadband programme by R500 million.
This was revealed in the Estimates of National Expenditure document which forms part of the 2016 Budget. Funding for SA Connect has been increased by R500 million over the medium-term, the document states.
"The emphasis is on ensuring connectivity in under-serviced areas, prioritising schools and health facilities and other government institutions," the document reads.
SA Connect is government's national broadband strategy that was adopted in 2013, and aims to deliver widespread broadband access to 90% of the country's population by 2020, and 100% by 2030.
Last year, National Treasury said SA Connect will receive R1.1 billion in funding over three years to support the ongoing rollout of broadband.
In his budget speech today, finance minister Pravin Gordhan explained that a total of R1.6 billion will be spent over the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) period to extend broadband access.
"Over the MTEF period, R1.6 billion is allocated to the SA Connect broadband programme to support access in remote areas and in schools, healthcare facilities and government institutions," he said.
According to the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services' (DTPS') predictions, 3 158 government institutions and 4 442 schools will have broadband connectivity over the medium-term.
Who is rolling out broadband?
While Treasury has moved to provide more funding for government's ubiquitous broadband project, the DTPS has yet to appoint a service provider to drive the first phase of SA Connect.
The DTPS says it is following due process to facilitate the rollout of broadband for phase one of the broadband project.
In his State of the Nation Address last year, president Jacob Zuma announced government had decided to designate Telkom as the lead agency for SA Connect.
However, the DTPS has pointed out Telkom is only a "designated" and not "appointed" lead agent for the broadband project.
"The announcement of the service provider will only be done once the department has finalised the process and the subsequent conclusion of the necessary agreements," the department stated.
Meanwhile, last week, the department launched free WiFi hotspots at the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, in the North West, in preparation for the implementation of phase one of SA Connect.
The department noted the free WiFi zones would help provide Internet access in areas such as schools, taxi ranks, government departments and community health clinics.
The department notes the key objective of the first phase of SA Connect is to provide connectivity to 2 800 of 5 803 identified government institutions by March 2017, according to the national estimates document.
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