Journal for Creativity, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT-JCISE) Vol. 5, No. 1, 2021 - ISSN 2521-0270

www.sarchi.org

ADVANCING RURAL TELECOMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND CON-

NECTIVITY IN SOUTH AFRICAN RURAL COMMUNITIES

Ms. Annastasia Noko Moloto

Institution: Tshwane University of Technology Business School
Email: Annastasia.Moloto@yahoo.com

Dr. Mkhomazi Sharol Sibongile

Institution: Tshwane University of Technology
Email: MkhomaziSS@tut.ac.za

Prof. Worku Zeleke

Institution: Tshwane University of Technology Business School
Email: WorkuZ@tut.ac.za

Prof. Mammo Muchie

Institution: Tshwane University of Technology Business School
Email: MuchieM@tut.ac.za

Abstract
This paper embraces the value of sufficient telecommunication infrastructure
towards promoting innovation and encouraging economic growth in developing
countries as well as in rural areas. South Africa has the most advanced telecom-
munication network in Africa, with a digital network coverage of 99%, this includes
fixed lines, wireless and satellite communication. Lately, the country has been
experiencing a high rate of project failures due to poor infrastructure which is
caused by a lack of upgrading of aged infrastructure. These projects include e-ed-
ucation, e-health, e-Home affairs, e-farming and e-mining. Though the nation
has brilliant ideas in terms of using advanced technology for economic growth and
development, However, the implementation seems not to be a success as a result
of aged infrastracture which still exist in various sectors of government.
The lack of infrastructure starts from technical abilities to design and implement
such technologies, development and poor finance to upgrade the current existing
infrastructure. This is not a South African problem, but a problem for the rest of
Africa. This serves as an evidence that Information technology in Africa has not
been given the necessary attention as it supposed to, unlike in other sectors like
finance, human resource and engineering. The lack of infrastructure starts from
technical abilities to design and implement such technologies, development and
poor finance to upgrade the existing infrastructure. The findings of the study will
help management and excecutives on the key issues to tickle for the upgrading of
telecommunication infrastructure to happen.
Qualitative research approach was adopted and data was collected using semi-struc-
tured face to face interviews, exploratory research design was adopted. The study
analysed the impact of sufficient telecommunication infrastructure and innovation
on South African economic growth and rural development using thematic analysis.

26
 Journal for Creativity, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT-JCISE) Vol. 5, No. 1, 2021 - ISSN 2521-0270
www.sarchi.org

According to the findings of the study, the current telecommunication infrastructure

in Limpopo rural community due to various reasons, some included poor commu-
nication among departments, political way that takes place among executive and
poor support from management. people who were suppose support the upgrading
of the current infrastructure were seen to be the once that contribute to the failing
of telecommunication upgrading. It was therefore recommended that the current
communication process be improved for politics to be minimised for the upgrading
of the infrastructure in most rural communities to be successful.

Introduction
South Africa has been underserved in terms of telecommunication services. The
literature review has indicated that significant telecommunication infrastructure
towards the speeding up of the economy worldwide (Bahrini & Qaffas, 2019). Al-
though some authors still disagree with the question that great ICT infrastructure
has a strong impact on economic growth (Vu, 2011; Sassi & Goaied 2013). The
inadequate connectivity in rural South Africa was also acknowledged in the Na-
tional Development Plan, South Africa Connect, and the 2015 National ICT Advisory
Review Panel Report (The National Integrated ICT Policy, 2012:66). This issue is
still open to investigation from a policy perspective to increase investments in ICT
infrastructure. Information and Communication Technology enters as an input into
the economic supply in the form of capital and causes the improvement of the pro-
duction process through deepening capital and making advancements in technology
and labour force quality (Aghaei & Rezagholizadeh 2017).

Access to affordable communications in South Africa and Africa

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in 2017 Africa
was at the tail of ICT usage in the world, with just above 20% of the population
having access to the Internet, and over 20% without access even to basic voice
communications. Even if they have access, many people face cultural, economic
and social barriers to communicating through ICTs. In 2015, the ITU concluded,
“a monthly fixed broadband package cost 1,7% of average income in developed
countries, compared with 64% of average income in Africa”. Similarly, “mobile
broadband cost 1-2% of monthly income in developed countries, compared with
11-25% of monthly average income in developing countries”. According to a 2016
study published in Information Technology and Development, in rural areas, the
problem of affordability is even more pronounced, with communication costs being
as high as 22% of monthly income.

Telecommunications infrastructure in Limpopo province

The Limpopo province is surrounded by beautiful nature, such as mountains, rivers
and it attracts most tourists from various countries. The province is always known
for its great natural beauty. However, the area remains largely unconnected to the
27
 Journal for Creativity, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT-JCISE) Vol. 5, No. 1, 2021 - ISSN 2521-0270
www.sarchi.org

internet as they face challenges of attracting investment and affordable broadband

access due to poor ICT infrastructure. This has made accessibility to telecommuni-
cation applications to be more expensive. Below is the map of the Limpopo Map.

Figure 1.1: Limpopo Map

The province was formed from the Northern region of Transvaal province in 1994
and was initially named after Northern Transvaal. The year later was named North-
ern province until 2003, when it was formally changed to Limpopo after debate by
the provincial government and amendment of the South African constitution. The
most dominating cultural group in Ga-Mothiba are Sepedi speaking people, formally
called Northern Sotho. This is one of the oldest communities in the country which
is considered to be poor, with poor technological infrastructure.

Figure 1.2: Overview of the Limpopo province

The area suffers in terms of network coverage because of insufficient infrastructure

which makes it very difficult for good connectivity. Although South Africa has five
telecommunication providers however each of these service providers is distribut-
ing network individually. Telecommunication infrastructure in most rural areas in
28
 Journal for Creativity, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT-JCISE) Vol. 5, No. 1, 2021 - ISSN 2521-0270
www.sarchi.org

Limpopo is very limited, bearing in mind that rural community has low teledensity
with a greater geographical spread. Even though this is a reality, the expansion still
has full access to the GPRS and EDGE services. The level of unemployment rate in
this area has increased from 0.6% to 27.1% in the last few years.
Well-developed telecommunication infrastructure is vital to the economic and
business connections of the community (Yousefi, 2011). A large percentage of res-
idents in rural areas do not have access to fixed-line telecommunication services.
There is only 7.9 per cent of the fixed line of telecommunication services penetra-
tion. Many public phones and landline telephone subscribers have terminated their
landline subscriptions, mainly owing to the competitive offers of mobile service
providers and the higher cost of a landline. The area is not well provided with good
telecommunication infrastructure and network coverage.
There is no internet connectivity in these areas. For example, there is no wireless
connectivity in the area as compared to urban areas. ICT is not fully operational in
schools such as online catalogues and general information via the Internet due to
poor infrastructures. The low penetration and quality of fixed-line telecommuni-
cation services remain a key challenge. Lack of sufficient infrastructure in these
areas has deprived resident’s good social life and good economic growth and devel-
opment. Like electricity, water and roads infrastructure, telecommunications in-
frastructure is viewed as a 21st-century basic essential utility in every community.

The impact of telecommunication infrastructure

Rural communities are not considered to be a feasible business case by telecom-
munication providers. The main challenges for the provision of telecommunication
services in rural areas are determined by both technical and economic consider-
ations. Setting up connectivity in rural areas remain a high-cost exercise (ITU,
2020). Good telecommunication infrastructure can help to lessen rural isolation, by
improving access to service, improving business efficacy and gives powers to those
citizens who do not have the power to speak. Yet metro and global competition
may limit the benefits of telecommunication for rural areas and probably broaden
the progress gap (Rowley & Porterfied, 2019). Good telecommunication infrastruc-
ture is crucial for rural areas to take part in national and international economies
and are also an essential portion of a total rural development strategy (Bahrini &
Qaffas, 2018). The protentional for telecommunication to spur rural development
restless on the human factor but fully on infrastructural development (Aghaei &
Rezagholizadeh, 2017).
Upgraded telecommunication infrastructures can help rural residents to open a
new market, which might also allow the firms to compete with large firms in urban
areas (Guldmann, 2001). Accountants, economists and farmers in rural areas could
have the opportunity to serve urban and international clients (Venkatesh, Sykes
& Venkatraman, 2013). The economic impact does not only depend on the direct
returns of the investment, such as tariffs through improved communication facili-
ties but other sectors also can indirectly profit from the investment (Bohler-Muller,
Davids & Roberts, 2016). Especially, in rural areas with a very low telephone den-
29
 Journal for Creativity, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT-JCISE) Vol. 5, No. 1, 2021 - ISSN 2521-0270
www.sarchi.org

sity, the indirect returns of a telecommunication investment are huge. Technical

possibilities for building up transmission links in the rural network include coaxial
cables, glass fibre and satellite communication. In thinly populated rural areas,
satellite communication with a single channel per carrier (SCPC) system is a good
solution, with the SCPC system few ground stations can be used. These stations
are easy to maintain and use little power. As soon as a satellite channel and two
ground stations are operational, transmission is possible, so an SCPC system can be
implemented rapidly.

Research methodology
Qualitative semi-structured face to face open-ended interviews was used in the
study, technical, financial and project managers were interviewed from two gov-
ernment departments and State Information Technology. The participants were
appropriate for the study because are in charge for the infrastructure upgrading
and development in the country and multiple case study research approach was
selected.
The exploratory research design takes both socio-technical and socio-cultural fea-
tures of the construction into account (Cresswell & Hirose, 2019:248). It accepts
that, though information systems have a strong technological element, they are
employed and executed by people working in the social context (Modol, 2007:26).
Interpretive or exploratory research design accepts that people create their mean-
ing subjective and intersubjective. The researcher interacts with participants and
understands their experience. Researchers have the opportunity to interpret what
they hear, say and understand (Reiter, 2017:129).
The case study research approach is more popular within the field of Information
and Communication Management studies, and telecommunication falls under the
information system discipline. The object of the discipline in the study of IS organi-
sation and interest shift to organisational rather than technical issues (Molina-Azor-
in, 2016:256) and case study allows in-depth study through the use of multiple
methods and through the use of various sources of data collection which focuses
on the processes and relationships. The approach takes both socio-technical and
socio-cultural aspects of the construction into consideration. It acknowledges that,
although information systems have a strong technological component, they are im-
plemented and used by people operating in the social context (Modol, 2007:30).
The case study research approach is considered ideal to carry out holistic research
especially for South African rural communities where there is a lack of sufficient
infrastructure and in-depth investigations are needed to gain a deeper understand-
ing of the lack of infrastructure development. Data were analysed using thematic
analysis.

Findings and interpretation

Advancing telecommunication infrastructure in rural areas is one good step for
economic growth and sustainability. This will ensure that will enhance connectivity
30
 Journal for Creativity, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT-JCISE) Vol. 5, No. 1, 2021 - ISSN 2521-0270
www.sarchi.org

in rural communities. Poor telecommunication infrastructure is recognised as an

important factor in leading people in rural areas to choose to migrate to urban are-
as. Most participants rated the level of infrastructure in a rural community as poor
when asked to rate the level of infrastructure in rural communities, as indicated in
figure table 1.1 below:

Table 1.1: Lack of infrastructure

Assessment of demands for e-government services by lack of Res

infrastructure
Poor 11
Below average 8
Average 4

As shown in table 1.1 above majority of participants confirmed that telecommuni-

cation infrastructure in most rural communities in South Africa is very poor. Lack of
infrastructure contributes heavily to in accessibility of technological platforms in
rural areas. Though very few participants disagreed. Telecommunication infrastruc-
ture in the rural area plays a very crucial role in attracting activities that are heavy
to the economic growth in rural communities and current market information.
In early days when technology was just introduced, people were interested in keep-
ing their information secret. However, in this day and time, the internet seems to
be a driver of the economy. Limpopo is a small town, it does not have bigger cities
except for Polokwane, and it is surrounded by many rural areas. The residents in
rural communities are keen to make a positive impact on their lives by using tech-
nology to transform their lives. However, due to poor technological infrastructure
upgrading, some citizens can still not access any technological platforms offered
by the government or by municipalities. When participants were asked why rural
citizens do not have adequate infrastructure upgrading, participants responded as
follows:
“Due, to lack finances infrastructures in most rural communities could not be
updated. I however not say that the government is working under a tight budget.
It has a lot of competing priorities such as fees must fall, child grant, health,
roll out medication of HIV, infracts of immigrants who come and give birth at
hospitals, specifically in the Limpopo and Gauteng just give birth and go back after
giving birth because of that, whatever budget the government is allocated for the
Department of Health is exhausted before the next quarter. So, there are various
competing priorities, how many people will complain about services vs the one
without proper road, water and electricity. Infrastructure, in general, is an issue.
People who are falling into the toilet. One another concern is the structure in
schools. Because how do you roll out broadband while people are under the trees.
“We as the government have failed in the case of infrastructure upgrading. In
South Africa, we failed. I am talking about failing in such a way that dedicated
speed on a quality. If you look at the coverage of mobile networks in South Africa,

31
 Journal for Creativity, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT-JCISE) Vol. 5, No. 1, 2021 - ISSN 2521-0270
www.sarchi.org

they always claim that 2G coverage is 99%, 3G is around 92% or 98%, 4G is always
on very high 81 to 90% but they are not reliable broadband when it comes to run
to e-applications. The e-applications we need reliable and high-speed broadband”.
According to the information provided by the participants, poor financial plan-
ning has resulted in non-infrastructure development in most rural areas even in
townships. Although some participants mentioned that the current infrastructure
in rural communities was not upgraded due to financial constraints, though other
participants disagreed with the statement by arguing that the current infrastruc-
ture in most areas was not upgraded due to lack of commitment from leadership,
hence the department of National Treasury has cut part of the budget has was ini-
tially given them. According to the role established by the national treasury, once
the department is not utilizing the budget that was given, the national treasury
may use the budget. One participant indicated:
“If National Treasury realizes that the money, they given the department is not
used is was not utilized for a specific period, the department will cut the budget
and we got a very small budget to upgrade infrastructure”.
On the other hand, participants mentioned that there is also a little bit of a political
war, especially on the national level, and also the knowledge of the public sector,
how they are skilled and they skilled, are they skilled to manage this application.
The analysis is needed to the kind of skills that are needed. The government only
deals with policies and the development of those policies. Although at some point
some participants have raised various about the policies that the government is de-
veloping on daily basis. Participants have mentioned that although the government
has beautiful policies, it however at some point it discourages young innovative
with creative minds. One participant raised the concern:
“There are a lot of young innovative and creative minds, and we must not suppress
then and say this should be like this, we must allow creating this innovation, so
we must allow innovating new ideas, and we must not say that because this policy
binds you with that. Technology is a fast-moving thing. So, we must move with
technology, so is our policies. So how fast is the government can create policies
and regulations on these fast-moving technologies?
Lack of sufficient infrastructure has deprived residents in rural communities of a
better life, particularly in rural areas where the level of economy and standard of
living is still down, it encourages empowerment and human development. Human
development is the process of expanding people’s opportunities and freedoms for
a better standard of living. With sufficient telecommunication infrastructure, peo-
ple in rural communities will have a chance to raise their voices instead of being
silence and waiting for the government on come on their own time to address the
issues that people have been facing for so long.

Discussion
According to the findings of the study, the current telecommunication infrastructure
in rural areas were not upgraded due to various reasons. Some of the issues were
32
 Journal for Creativity, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT-JCISE) Vol. 5, No. 1, 2021 - ISSN 2521-0270
www.sarchi.org

more technical some were non-technical. Lack of skill set from both government
and rural residents were identified as a barrier from upgrading the current tele-
communication infrastructure not only in rural areas. until such skills are acquired
from the government to citizens, the upgrading of the infrastructure will remain
a problem. Without an appropriate skill set in place, Infrastructure included both
technical and non-technical factors. The non-technical factors include the cost
to deploy infrastructure, as the government was reported to be operating with a
tight budget and that it has a competing priority. For ages, rural communities have
been operating with poor technological infrastructure. Although companies such
as Telkom were selected to upgrade infrastructure in underserved areas, however,
that has never happened.
According to the analysis, government requires partnership with private sectors to
upgrade the current infrastructure in rural communities. The problem with private
sectors is that they cannot implement infrastructures where they are not going to
make some returns or profit. The lack of or proper infrastructure in rural communi-
ties has also contributed to a high level of technological know-how, especially for
those who do not have computers or laptops with internet connectivity at home.
and this has a major impact on the demand side of e-government.
On the other hand, there were politics was the key influencing factor when it
came to decision making, on when and how the companies’ telecommunication
infrastructures would be deployed. This came from the fact that some government
officials in power and have control over critical resources such as spectrum and
landed properties.

Conclusion
Proper Information Communication Technology infrastructure is necessarily essen-
tial to fuel the growth of the economy in rural communities as well as towards
South African economy. South Africa has a very poor ICT infrastructure, especially
in rural areas. The weak ICT infrastructure in South Africa, specifically in rural
communities has compromised optimal learning and skills development in South
African rural communities including in schools, as this was also experienced during
the national lockdown in March 2020.
A step-by-step transformation strategy needs to be developed. This will assist in
bridging the digital gap between policymakers and implementers. Process and
procedures are defined as detailed step-by-step instructions which indicate how
the upgrading of telecommunication infrastructure upgrading achieved.  Policies
and procedures form the base and the foundation of successful telecommunication
upgrading processes. This is regarded as one of the critical steps that ensure align-
ment and standardisation.

33
 Journal for Creativity, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT-JCISE) Vol. 5, No. 1, 2021 - ISSN 2521-0270
www.sarchi.org

Reference
AGHAEI, M. and Rezagholizadeh, M., 2017. The impact of information and communication technology (ICT)
on economic growth in the OIC Countries. Economic and Environmental Studies, 17(2 (42)), pp.257-278.
AGHAEI, M. and Rezagholizadeh, M., 2017. The impact of information and communication technology (ICT)
on economic growth in the OIC Countries. Economic and Environmental Studies, 17(2 (42)), pp.257-278.
BAHRINI, R. and Qaffas, A.A., 2018. How did Islamic Banks Perform During and after the Global Financial
Crisis? Evidence from the GCC Countries. Journal of Emerging Issues in Economics, Finance and Bank-
ing, 7(1), pp.2452-2465.
BAHRINI, R. and Qaffas, A.A., 2019. Impact of information and communication technology on economic
growth: Evidence from developing countries. Economies, 7(1), p.21.
BOHLER-MULLER, N., Davids, Y.D., Roberts, B., Kanyane, B., Struwig, J., Masiya, T. and Nomdo, A., 2016.
Service delivery challenges in South Africa: South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS): compendium
of results.
CRESWELL, J.W. and Hirose, M., 2019. Mixed methods and survey research in family medicine and commu-
nity health. Family Medicine and Community Health, 7(2).
GULDMANN, J.M., 2001, August. Telecommunications infrastructure and usage In rural areas: a production
function approach. In presentation at the 41st Congress of the European Regional Science Association.
INTERNATIONAL Telecommunication Union (ITU). 2017. Measuring the Information Society Report. [Online].
Available at: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/publications/misr2017/MISR2017_
Volume1.pdf. Accessed: 10 July 2021.
INTERNATIONAL Telecommunication Union (ITU). 2020. Digital World 2021. [Online]. Available at: https://
www.itu.int/en/ITUTELECOM/Pages/world2020.aspx. Accessed: 10 July 2021
MOLINA-AZORIN, J.F., 2016. Mixed methods research: An opportunity to improve our studies and our re-
search skills.
REITER, B., 2017. Theory and methodology of exploratory social science research.
RODON Mòdol, J., 2007. Exploring standardization and integration in the implementation of industry in-
ter-organizational information systems: a case study in the seaport of Barcelona (Doctoral dissertation,
Universitat Ramon Llull).
ROWLEY, T.D. and Porterfield, S.L., 2019. Removing rural development barriers through telecommunica-
tions: Illusion or reality?. In Economic Adaptation (pp. 247-264). Routledge.
SASSI, S. and Goaied, M., 2013. Financial development, ICT diffusion and economic growth: Lessons from
MENA region. Telecommunications Policy, 37(4-5), pp.252-261.
NATIONAL Department of Telecommunication and Postal services. 2012. The National Integrated ICT Pol-
icy. [Online]. Available from: https://www.dtps.gov.za/images/phocagallery/Popular_Topic_Pictures/
National_Integrated_ICT_Policy_White.pdf. Accessed: 12 June 2021.
VENKATESH, V., Sykes, T.A. and Venkatraman, S., 2014. Understanding e‐Government portal use in rural
India: role of demographic and personality characteristics. Information systems journal, 24(3), pp.249-
269.
VU, K.M., 2011. ICT as a source of economic growth in the information age: Empirical evidence from the
1996–2005 period. Telecommunications Policy, 35(4), pp.357-372.
YOUSEFI, A., 2011. The impact of information and communication technology on economic growth: evi-
dence from developed and developing countries. Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 20(6),
pp.581-596.

34