South Africa flags delays in public institution connectivity

South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has raised concerns over the slow rollout of internet connectivity to public service institutions (PSIs) by mobile network operators

By March 2026, operators had connected 10, 851 of the 21, 878 institutions covered by their Universal Access and Service Obligations (UASOs), representing 49.1% compliance.

The issue was highlighted during a meeting in which the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) briefed MPs on connectivity requirements attached to spectrum licences issued in 2022.

Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, Liquid and Rain secured spectrum in the auction, with their licence conditions requiring them to connect institutions such as schools, healthcare facilities, libraries and tribal authorities.

ICASA reported that, as of March 2026, only Vodacom, Telkom and Liquid had achieved the minimum threshold of 65% of their respective targets. MTN and Rain had not met this requirement. The targets stand at 8 131 connections for Vodacom, 7 390 for MTN, 3 103 for Telkom, 2 956 for Rain and 298 for Liquid.

The committee expressed concern over the pace of implementation, stressing that connectivity at schools, clinics and other public institutions is essential to improving access to education, information, public services and wider digital opportunities.

Committee chairperson Khusela Sangoni-Diko called for operators to be held accountable for failing to meet their licence conditions.

“Companies that renege on their licence compliance obligations should be referred to the Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) for consequence management. ICASA should track implementation milestones and not wait five years before seeking intervention from the CCC to investigate what may amount to malicious compliance,” said Ms Sangoni-Diko.

MPs also received an update on mobile operators’ obligations to zero-rate content for approved Public Benefit Organisations (PBOs) and websites using the .gov.za domain. Zero-rating allows users to access approved content without incurring mobile data charges, helping reduce cost barriers to essential information and services.

ICASA confirmed that this requirement will take effect in January 2027. The regulator has received 69 applications for zero-rating so far, of which 51 have been approved.