Drive to bridge digital divide gets boost
MEC Pillay says that this TVWS technology will give children a better chance in life.
KwaZulu-Natal’s efforts to bridge the digital divide received a major boost following the launch of a Television White Space (TVWS) network operator project at KwaXolo, on the South Coast recently.
The project, launched at the KwaXolo Traditional Court forms part of phase one of the TVWS network operator support programme which is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and implemented by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. (CSIR).
The project is based on a model of using TVWS in a particular area to provide affordable broadband, especially in rural areas. TVWS refers to television frequencies allocated for broadcast but are not used in that particular area.
The company behind the project is Adnotes Digital, a beneficiary of the Youth Fund disbursed by the Premier’s Office and championed by Premier Sihle Zikalala.
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Ravi Pillay represented Premier Sihle Zikalala at the launch.
“We are encouraged by the objective to implement wireless network infrastructures for affordable broadband internet connectivity in this rural community. We acknowledge with gratitude funding from the UNDP to enable implementation by the CSIR. With this newly completed network, KwaXolo, KwaCele, KwaMavundla and Gamalakhe township are the first communities in our country to deploy internet services using TVWS technology,” said MEC Pillay.
Owner of Adnotes Digital Nathi Mbhele expressed gratitude for the support he has received, even from the private sector.
He said the provincial government had also assisted him with acquiring a licence from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).
Mr Mbhele said the project has created jobs for five locals and he aims to work with the local community as distributing partners and for the maintenance of infrastructure.
Through the project, 10 Wi-Fi hotspots have been set up at the KwaXolo, KwaCele, KwaMavundla traditional areas and at Gamalakhe Township. The province’s ambition is to have 20 500 hotspots by 2024.
Inkosi Mxolisi Xolo defined the occasion as a historic one saying community members will reap huge benefits. “At the traditional court there are young people who are taught basic computer skills and the addition of the Wi-Fi will enable them to use the internet for meaningful things such as searching for employment opportunities,” he said.
MEC Pillay also called on communities to embrace the infrastructure set up.
“The fearmongering and destruction that we saw over the rollout of 5G towers was a serious setback.
Through collective efforts and consultation, we have inspired confidence among our people that advances in technology is for all our benefit.
This TVWS technology will give our children a better chance in life,” he said
Responding to a call made earlier by Inkosi Xolo for a local school to be assisted with computers, MEC Pillay also committed to providing 12 computers to the school.
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