Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 10 hrs ago
South Africa’s connectivity sector urged to focus on affordable access
A commentary on South Africa’s connectivity sector argues that internet access should be judged by its impact on people as well as network performance.
It says children in informal settlements may lack fibre access, while some working families rely on mobile data they cannot afford throughout the month.
The author argues that focusing on measures such as uptime and speed can overlook whether poorer communities can get online.
Backspace’s reverse billing model lets people use an app, website or payment device without paying for the data themselves.
The commentary says this could help make services in banking, education, government, healthcare and safety more accessible.
It also calls on companies to hire for attitude and invest in staff, arguing that technical skills alone are not enough.
It proposes giving communities tools and incentives to connect themselves, but does not set out a specific next step.
Claudio Coelho argues that South Africa’s connectivity sector should focus on affordable access for people who remain unconnected or priced out.
He says technical measures such as network uptime and speed do not show whether connectivity is improving people’s lives.
He calls for connectivity to reach informal settlements and working communities at prices they can afford.
He also argues that companies should hire for attitude and invest in people who can work in difficult conditions.
- Who
- Claudio Coelho makes the case for a more human-centred approach to connectivity.
- What
- He urges South Africa’s connectivity sector to prioritise affordable access and measure its impact on people.
- When
- The article was published on 9 November 2026.
- Where
- South Africa.
- Why
- Coelho says many people remain priced out of connectivity, while technical performance measures can overlook their needs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
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- Author
- Claudio Coelho
- Outlet
- TechCentral
- Publication date
- 9 November 2026
- Proposed measure of success
- Human uptime
- Example of access barrier
- Expensive cellular data that runs out before the month does
What people are saying
We would do well to shift our focus, to cast our gaze if only for a moment away from those who have connectivity, towards those who have very little or no affordable connectivity at all.
Redefine success around “human uptime”: not just whether the network is up, but whether it is changing lives.
The lesson is that technical excellence without human resilience is self-defeating.