For most South African households, fibre is rapidly becoming the fixed broadband solution of choice. However, in spite of large-scale fibre deployments, connectivity is lagging. Service providers need to keep rolling out infrastructure while looking to boost fibre uptake. The new agreement is an important step for collaboration among industry players and regulators, who will create an enabling environment and accelerate infrastructure deployment.

 

The agreement, named 'Industry Stakeholders Principles of Excellence', has been signed by Dark Fibre Africa (DFA), Liquid Telecom, Vodacom, MTN, Frogfoot, MetroFibre Networx and Altron. It stipulates that fibre providers and government should strive for digital inclusivity, boost small, micro and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs, contribute to innovation, skills development and job creation and support the overall development of Africa. Fibre sector industry body FTTX Council Africa will be coordinating between the private sector, government and civil organisations.

 

DFA, which provides open-access fibre infrastructure and connectivity, said while providers and the government had always agreed on the importance of making fibre-based connectivity available to all South Africans, striking the balance between digital inclusivity and profitability "has proven challenging".

 

According to a 2019 Survey from MyBroadband, fibre uptake in South Africa is strong. The results showed that affordability is a big consideration for FTTH subscribers and that uncapped accounts are the most popular option, independent of the speed. For those who cannot get fibre, ADSL, mobile, and-fixed LTE services are the most popular choices.