Prices of South African internet and telecommunications services are well above the global average, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The WEF has published a study, entitled the Global Information Technology Report 2014, documenting the country’s networked readiness, including parameters such as affordability, regulation, infrastructure, consumer and business usage, and social impacts.
According to the study, South Africa ranked 125th out of 148 countries for internet and telephony competition.
It highlighted the expensive nature of South Africa’s mobile operators, ranking the country 128th worldwide.
The cost of fixed-line broadband fared slightly better, ranked 91st out of 148.
However, the country ranked highly in the political and regulatory impact on network readiness.
In terms of judicial independence South Africa is ranked 22nd worldwide and has an effective legal system in settling disputes.
It also documented that 99.8 per cent of the population has access to mobile network coverage, ranking 48th worldwide.
Overall the country sits in 70th place out of 148 countries in the study.
South African opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA) shadow minister of trade and industry Wilmot James said last week the high cost of internet and slow connectivity is hampering economic growth.
“We urge trade and industry minister, Rob Davies, and the minister of telecommunications, Siyabonga Cwele, to prioritise this crucial economic resource and work together to ensure its improvement and expansion,” James said.
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