SA ICT drops again

By Siyabonga Africa for Cisco

Johannesburg, 30 Mar 2009

While the rest of the world has increased its network readiness during the past six years, SA has seen a decrease in its network readiness index (NRI) score. This is according to the 2008-2009 World Economic Forum and INSEAD Global IT Readiness Report (GITR).

The report, which is sponsored by Cisco, shows SA has slipped several places, from 47, in 2006, to 52 out of 134 countries.

A Cisco statement says the report and the NRI provide an opportunity for countries to take stock of where they stand in the race to harness the potential of ICT, in general, and broadband in particular.

The statement adds that SA's continuing decline in ICT readiness should be a source of concern, as the NRI score reflects the country's ability to compete and benefit from the potential of ICT and broadband.

Internet dark ages

Cisco says SA stands in the early stages of Internet connectivity. The “Internet stages” scale is used to ascertain a country's position in achieving nationwide connectivity and is calculated by the average Internet usage rates.

“The fact that we have several islands in more advanced stages (like the bigger cities) is countered by the reality that we also have large parts of the country and our population with little or no access. This is borne out by our low scores on infrastructure on the ICT development map,” says Cisco SA chairman Kumaran Nair.

The ICT development map, which is a part of the GITR, shows the correlation between ICT infrastructure and ecosystem coordinates and technology adoption and relies on data from the NRI.

Nair says the ecosystem positioning relates to the impact of business environments on technology adoption. Factors here include the legal and regulatory framework around ICT deployment and general ease of doing business.

“Where we have fallen short historically is in our build-out of ICT infrastructure. The pay-off from strategic infrastructure investments to deploy broadband is much greater when they take place in the context of a favourable ecosystem.”

Where to now?

Nair says the way forward is for the country to maintain a dual focus on improving its ICT ecosystem to foster technology adoption and ICT infrastructure in a manner that addresses historic differences between urban and rural areas.

“In the short, medium and long term, SA will enjoy major benefits from the power of broadband networks if we are able to implement strategies to seize the moment.”

He adds the country will not only improve national competitiveness across all sectors, but will also find new growth and employment-creation opportunities that aid national productivity, service delivery and economic development.