Tag: internet access

South Africa's connectivity landscape tells a tale of two realities. In affluent suburbs, gigabit fibre connections are becoming commonplace. These enable seamless remote work, streaming and digital entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, in townships and informal settlements, home to millions of South Africans, residents struggle with expensive and unreliable mobile data as their primary internet access.

Imagine a flight where your biggest concern isn't a nearby toddler's meltdown but whether to catch up on work or catch some Z's. This scenario is becoming a reality as more airlines test the waters of adult-only zones, offering a potential oasis of calm at cruising altitude.

Since emerging from the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, various industries across Africa have rebounded relatively well after having to undergo a process of reinvention. Across the continent, key multibillion dollar industries are navigating new challenges to meet consumer needs and retain a strong customer base. For Africa’s entertainment and media (E&M) industry, 2022 was a challenging year.

Property technology (commonly known as proptech) is on the rise globally. The escalating significance of proptech within the industry is underscored by its staggering projected market value - poised to reach $86.5 billion by 2032.

From video games and live streaming, to advertising and internet consumption, we looked at where consumers are spending their time and money in the latest industry insights from the Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook 2022-2026.

Regulatory pressures have dominated the headlines for Chinese e-commerce in the past 12 months. We think the focus is now shifting. Nothing showcases China’s love of e-commerce better than Singles’ Day, or 11.11. This unofficial holiday, initially founded as an anti-Valentine’s Day for singletons, is held annually on the 11 November.

Fifth-generation (5G) wireless broadband is no longer a future technology - it’s here and is already available in limited key metropolitan areas in South Africa. The country, with its limited internet access and infrastructure, high data costs and ailing economy, can benefit in multiple ways from 5G.

The internet is disruptive by nature. It has transformed the way societies and economies work, communicate and play, businesses operate, and how governments deliver services to citizens. Digital technologies are paving the way forward for rapid innovation, economic growth, and job creation.

Lack of peer contact and motivation have emerged as two of the key challenges that faced higher education students last year after institutions took teaching online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, a survey has shown.

A global pandemic and the ensuing lockdown implemented in South Africa disrupted businesses across most sectors, putting small and medium sized businesses, in particular, under immense pressure. If 2020 has taught us one thing it is the extent to which we have come to rely on the internet.