Internet connectivity needs to be seen as a basic municipal service, as broadband is generally recognised as a strategic tool in building the information economy, says City of Tshwane group CIO Dumisani Otumile.
"Extensive local and international studies have shown massive benefits of investing in broadband infrastructure. In most of these studies, broadband has demonstrated the ability to deliver substantial economic growth, increased employment and vast societal benefits," says Otumile. "It is against this background that Tshwane has resolved to enter the Internet connectivity space, arguing that Internet should be considered a basic service."
He notes although Tshwane is making significant progress in the fight against the widening digital gap, detractors often argue against municipal involvement in this space, saying metros should rather focus on delivering basic services.
"However, in the City of Tshwane, Internet connectivity is considered no different from other basic services. Promoting digital inclusion is also no lip-service either to the capital city. The capital city cannot afford to have a 'pedestrian approach' when resolving the challenges faced by the masses." Otumile further argues the concept of Internet connectivity becoming a basic municipal service "appears to confuse some people".
"Questions are often asked what the city means by this and how this will unfold since municipal services are heavily legislated. Some have wondered whether the city's investment in technologies was justified.
"However, the city's view is that any service delivery strategy that does not address the digital gap in the current digital economy is doomed to fail, because Internet connectivity provides access to unlimited opportunities and has unlimited potential."
He explains Tshwane Vision 2055 provides a clear rationale for the city to become involved in areas traditionally considered not core business of municipalities, if this will help accelerate service delivery.
Digital divide
Otumile notes, without conscious interventions, the majority of the city's residents will remain technologically marginalised and excluded from gaining access to the information society. Municipalities, he points out, also have a huge Internet connectivity requirement to provide services to ratepayers, increase socio-economic benefits and bridge the digital divide.
Otumile also further argues there appears to be no apparent hindrance to the introduction of Internet connectivity as a basic municipal service.
"Cities may have to start considering how to introduce this service to their residents. Various options may be considered for this purpose. The one option is that chosen by the City of Tshwane [is] where free WiFi access is provided at no cost to residents.
"Another option could be to provide free Internet connectivity to incentivise the payment of municipal services. Municipalities may also consider providing Internet connectivity at little cost to ensure the sustainability of the services."
ICT veteran Adrian Schofield recently commented modern municipalities must have a full broadband network to provide connectivity to residents. "There's a lot to be said about municipalities that are investing in infrastructure."
Schofield says, ideally, municipalities should not rely on provincial connectivity initiatives, as these are good projects for education and health service delivery, but are a layer too removed from the end-user.
Meanwhile, professor Dirk Brand, of the Stellenbosch University School of Public Leadership, recently published a short paper looking at the feasibility of WiFi as a public service. Brand concludes, as technology plays an increasingly pivotal role in changing the way government interacts with citizens, universal WiFi access is set to ensure this is done more efficiently.
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