Category: Technology, Media, Ent

Description:

Broadband access in South Africa has more than doubled in the last two years, as mobile operators slashed the cost of data and network roll-out accelerated.

This is revealed in new data contained in the final version of the Internet Access in South Africa 2012 study, released today. The study was conducted by World Wide Worx and backed by the howzit MSN online portal.

The broadband data, which is analysed in detail in the report, shows that the number of broadband subscriptions grew from 3,6-million at the end of 2010 to an expected 8,2-million by the end of 2012 – 128% growth. Many users have multiple forms of broadband access – such as an ADSL account as well as 3G – while many hop between operators to take advantage of promotional offers. As a result, the number of individual broadband users is substantially lower, but also more than doubling in the past two years. The number has grown from 2,8-million to 6,7-million – 140% growth in just two years.

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Description:

Popular social media platforms including the likes of Twitter and Facebook were pushed further into the limelight with the onset of the Arab Spring. The increased adoption of powerful communication tools holds prospects for businesses to grow, while keeping the pressure on regional governments to liberalize, analysts have told CNBC.

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Description:

Is the glass half empty or half full? This is the question that the results of the 2012 BCG e-Intensity Index pose to governments across Africa.

On the one hand, e-Intensity Index scores are rising quickly for many of the 14 nations on the African continent that are included in the 2012 list—more so than those of developed nations and many other developing economies. On the other hand, all of these nations are starting from very small bases, and even those with increased scores are barely staying even or are falling down the global rankings. South Africa, which has the most developed economy in Africa, ranked only sixty-fourth out of 85 countries on the e-Intensity Index. Nigeria, the most populous, ranked eighty-third.

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Description:

Traditionally, nations in the Middle East and Africa tend to share less online than other cultures, but in recent years, social networks have been making a significant social and cultural impact. Greater social network usage is especially being seen in those who are younger and well-educated, and mobile phones—already popular among users for accessing social networks—will continue to drive usage. However, despite recent expansion, internet access remains limited in the Middle East and Africa, especially outside of urban centers.

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