Mobile internet access and affordability among youth in South Africa: rethinking universal service and access in the age of 'digital mobility'

Abstract

The rates of Internet uses are still devastatingly low especially in developing countries and South Africa is no exception. However, South Africa has had a state policy commitment to attain Internet access for those who have been unconnected in the post Apartheid era (Electronic Communication Act, No 36 of 2005). The problem is that the policy application has been one-sided, only focusing on providing public fixed Internet access through community libraries, Thusong service centres, hospitals and public schools. While this effort is credible, it does little to address the upsurge of mobile Internet access that is increasingly characterising the digital age. The age of digital mobility represents a shift from fixed public Internet access to individualised mobile Internet access through mobile phones. However, the high prices of mobile Internet data make Internet access exclusionary in South Africa, making the needy persons to remain outside of the digital revolution. This study explored issues regarding the high cost of Internet data in South Africa and suggests ways on how universal service and access policy can be formulated to focus on individualised mobile Internet connection. Using a mixed method approach, a convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 200 University of Limpopo students to participate in a survey, and a purposive sampling technique was used for selecting one official from the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and another official from the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) to participate in the standardised semi structured interview. The results indicate that unless the universal service and access policy focuses on addressing the individualised mobile Internet access for needy persons, tapping the benefits that the Internet provides will remain out of reach for many South African youths.