Tag: connectivity

If connectivity is now only a fraction of a viable Internet Service Provider (ISP)’s revenue, where does the business go from here, and what should companies be changing to ensure they remain relevant to South Africans? Over the past few years, mobile and fixed connectivity have delivered low to moderate growth for most ISPs.

Networks that were once little more than pipes are waking up as they prepare for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) token economy. The mobile phone in your pocket is about to get a lot smarter. That is only partly because AI apps will become the new default for search, travel and shopping. However, something bigger is coming. The network itself is waking up.

Our latest SA Satellite Comms Report 2026 provides an in-depth analysis. The report shows the extent to which satellites transform enterprise, consumer, government and wholesale markets. It also positions the satellite market and industry as a central driver of digital infrastructure change.

Despite global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, African CEOs are optimistic about their own organisations’ growth prospects. This is according to the our 2025 Africa CEO Outlook Survey, which captures the perspectives of 130 CEOs across Southern, East and West Africa.

The numbers tell a sobering story. South Africa welcomed 5.85 million international tourists from January to July 2025. This marks a 14% increase over 2024. Yet, we remain frustratingly close and still far from our pre-pandemic peak. We are just 33,000 visitors short of 2019 levels, a mere 1%.

Globally, companies are embracing multi-cloud and hybrid strategies. In 2023 alone, organisations spent $270 billion on cloud infrastructure services. This represented a $45 billion increase compared to the previous year. As such, connectivity must now adapt to handle the complexity of data transit across dispersed geographic locations.

Earlier this year, the South African government launched its National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Framework. This is a strategic initiative aimed at harnessing AI for public value and socio-economic advancement. The policy positions AI as a tool to enhance decision-making, improve public services and foster innovation across sectors. However, a recent survey we conducted with Oxford Economics, involving nearly 500 senior government executives across 14 countries, reveals a significant obstacle.

At the recent DEVAC Infrastructure Summit, a powerful theme emerged: Africa cannot trade, grow or connect at scale without fixing its transport infrastructure. Outdated rail networks, congested ports and deteriorating roads have left the continent’s logistics backbone under immense strain. However, within that strain lies an opportunity.

Everyone understands that, in order for a retailer to be competitive, it must invest in the best technology to remove friction for customers and employees. Retailers must also provide the agility and capability to take advantage of big events such as Black Friday, improve operational efficiencies, and build long-term customer loyalty. However, many retailers have discovered that a technology solution decision is far more complex than it would seem. Therefore, instead of simply adopting new technologies, they should be investing in self-enablement.

It has become increasingly challenging to meet consumer demand for accessible data. This challenge is changing the shape of service delivery and innovation in 2025. In the first quarter of 2024, one user consumed 411.4 terabytes of data. According to MTN, the average contracted user consumes around 21.9 gigabytes of data every month.