SMARTPHONE PRICES MUST-FALL!
The South African government is working tirelessly in its quest to “expanding access to smartphone devices” for all who live in it, as this will help enhance the advancement of digital technology, especially to the less fortunate.
To address this challenge, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) Minister Solly Malatsi, through a statement, said government is advocating for the reclassification of smart devices as luxury goods to ensure that the additional taxes they carry are not an obstacle to achieving universal access.
South Africa’s Failure to make smart devices affordable means we runs the risk of excluding many within the poorer communities from critical opportunities, including e-learning, e- commerce, and access to e-government services.
The CHEAPEST ,STILL EXPENSIVE!
The price of a smartphone in South Africa vary widely, catering to different budgets and preferences, but universally start from R1,799 for a 6.5-inch display, 5,000mAh battery, and dual cameras (13MP rear + 2MP front).
In many households in townships and villages, where an average salary starts from just R3 000, it is near impossible for them to purchase even an affordable smartphone. Communities often priorities paying for school fees and monthly grocery over smart devices, prioritizing their basic necessities over what they see as a luxury. Unfortunately Smart devices for lower LSM are necessary for the development of these communities, allowing them access to the internet and the access to opportunity that the internet brings.
While its no secret that connectivity and access to digital resources is the first step to bridging the digital divide. Access to smart devices is closely linked to the affordability barrier, and mirrors the community members access to opportunity. the price of internet should also be put in the mix, with Net Nine Nine offering a starting price of R379 per month for an unlimited access to the connection, and the ability to connect 5 devices to the service the internet can be accessed for less than R2.60 per day per device, however an internet enabled device is still required for the connection to be meaningful.
TARGETING AFFORDABILITY!
“For many South Africans, the cost of entry-level smartphones remains prohibitive, limiting their ability to benefit from digital services. Early research by the GSM Association (GSMA) indicates that an affordability target of 15-20% of average monthly income could be considered reasonable for digital inclusion,” said Malatsi during the World Economic Forum (WEF) event, themed, Harnessing Digital Innovation: South Africa’s Vision for Collaboration in the Intelligent Age in Johannesburg.
However, in South Africa, the cost of entry-level smartphones often exceeds a month’s income for the median earner, making it even less accessible for the bottom 40% of the population, he highlighted.
LOWERING COSTS IS ESSENTIAL!
“Lowering the cost of smart devices is essential to enable broader participation in the digital economy. To fully realize the benefits of digital innovation, it is crucial to create a secure and trusted digital ecosystem,” he told delegates, which was attended by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.
“Therefore, our approach is pragmatic: policies must evolve based on implementation experiences guided by emerging evidence, allowing us to maximise benefits while mitigating risks.
“Our leadership in data protection, exemplified by the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), positions South Africa as a responsible and forward-thinking partner in global digital governance.”
A CHANGE IN NEED.
At Net Nine Nine we support any efforts to increase the access to information as we believe that internet access should be considered a basic human right, in the same way that access to food, water and electricity are considered such. Unfortunately like electricity needs a light bulb before it becomes useful the internet needs a SMART device.
We would support governments efforts to direct its efforts on the creation of policy driving data reform as we believe that access to the internet is as important to the development of South African communities as a formal education.