Dead silence on 10GB free data for every South African household

South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has been silent on its promise of 10GB of free data for every South African household for more than two years.

Former Communications Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced the government’s plan during the Joint State of the Nation debate in February 2022.

However, it hasn’t provided any updates on its plan since at least June 2022.

Ntshavheni’s announcement came shortly before former public works minister Patricia De Lille published the National Infrastructure Plan 2050, which revealed the government’s plan to provide households with 50GB of free data per month by 2025/26.

It also included a short-term target to provide 10GB of free data to all households by 2023/24 — a target it missed in March 2024.

In response to parliamentary questions in April 2022, Ntshavheni said her department would roll out the data service within three years, parallel with the rollout of the SA Connect Revised Model and after completing a feasibility study.

During a June 2022 media briefing, Ntshavheni revealed that the government was developing a plan to implement the free basic data service, which would be tabled for public comment by the end of July.

That was the last South Africans heard from the department on the 10GB free data promise. MyBroadband asked the DCDT for an update on the plan, but the new administration hadn’t responded by publication.

According to Ntshavheni, the 10GB free data allocation would apply to all South African households, regardless of income and help bridge the digital divide.

She didn’t initially provide a timeline for the rollout of the data service.

“Data has become a new utility like water and electricity that our home needs,” she said.

“At some point, South Africa will say… despite whether you are rich or poor, whether you are employed or unemployed, every household have access to 10GB per month without failure because that’s what this government will deliver.”

Mobile networks have questions

Following Ntshavheni’s announcement, MyBroadband spoke to MTN and Cell C about the plan; both indicated they wanted further clarity on how it would work and be funded.

“At this stage, it is not clear how the process will work and who will fund the 10GB monthly,” MTN South Africa told MyBroadband.

“However, MTN is willing to work with the Minister and various stakeholders to advance South Africa’s efforts towards building the digital economy and reducing the digital divide.

Cell C said at the time that the company wanted the government to engage in stakeholder consultations so it could raise concerns about the plan.

At the time, Cell C said no formal policy, legal, or regulatory processes had begun, adding that the proposal could have significant cost implications for companies like itself.

“Cell C awaits the commencement of these processes, which normally include stakeholder consultations and processes that allow for affected parties to highlight relevant concerns,” it said.

The operator reiterated that the financial impact of providing free data was the primary concern for a smaller operator like Cell C, saying it may not be sustainable.