ICASA Unveils 10th ICT Report: Mapping South Africa’s Digital Evolution
ICASA’s 10th ICT report assesses South Africa’s telecommunications, postal, and broadcasting sectors, highlighting key trends, regulatory insights, and digital progress.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has announced the release of the 10th annual State of Information, Communications and Technology (“ICT”) sector report.
The report reflects the Authority’s commitment towards access to ICT through the collating of comprehensive and timely ICT indicators to effectively regulate the broadcasting, postal services, and telecommunications sectors in South Africa.
Telecom Sector’s Remarkable Growth
In 2024, the telecommunications sector in South Africa experienced remarkable growth, fuelled by a surge in fibre subscriptions, heightened engagement on social
media platforms, and substantial advancements in network coverage. The sector’s transformation was primarily driven by fibre-based solutions, which became a pivotal area of expansion. Fixed broadband subscriptions skyrocketed, from 1.4 million in 2023 to an impressive 2.7 million by the end of 2024. Notably, fibre-to-the-home and fibre-to-the-building subscriptions witnessed a phenomenal increase, jumping from 1.0 million to 2.4 million. This surge contributed a staggering R6.5 billion in revenue, underscoring the growing reliance on high-speed internet connectivity.
Moreover, revenue generated by telecommunications operators through social media platforms emerged as a significant driver of digital engagement. In 2024, revenue from these platforms reached an astounding R159.3 billion, with major players such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok leading the charge. Specifically, Facebook accounted for R58.9 billion, followed closely by WhatsApp at R49.2 billion and TikTok at R38.9 billion. This substantial revenue growth highlights the strategic importance of social media as a vital channel for communication, advertising, and customer interaction, further reinforcing its role in the overall telecommunications landscape in South Africa.
Extensive Connectivity Reach Across the Nation
Continued advancements in coverage have significantly bolstered digital inclusivity across the nation. The national coverage for 3G networks has reached an impressive 99.79%, while 4G/LTE coverage stands at 99.07%. This extensive reach has greatly enhanced mobile connectivity and accessibility for a vast majority of the population.
In terms of broadband access, the geographical coverage has significantly expanded to include 82.06% of the country’s landmass, marking a substantial improvement in connectivity. However, there remain several remote and underserved areas where internet access is still unavailable. This gap highlights the ongoing need for investment and development to ensure that every citizen can participate in the digital economy. Bridging these gaps is essential to maximize the benefits of technological advancement and to ensure that no community is left behind in this digital transformation. The spectrum auctioned in March 2022 is expected to play a crucial role in helping network operators expand their coverage to underserved rural and remote areas, bridging the digital divide and fostering greater social and economic inclusion.
Contraction in South Africa’s Broadcasting Sector
In 2024, South Africa’s broadcasting sector faced a noticeable contraction, with total revenue declining by 1.79%, resulting in a total of R34.6 billion. This downturn was particularly evident in broadcasting subscriptions revenue, which suffered a significant decline of 5.10%, dropping to R26.2 billion. In contrast, the advertising revenue sector exhibited remarkable resilience, increasing by 6.73% to reach R6.2 billion, signalling a shift in the revenue dynamics of media consumption.
Within the pay TV subscription arena, there was a marginal increase of 0.12%, with subscriptions rising slightly from 7.41 million in 2023 to 7.42 million in 2024. Despite this modest uptick in subscriptions, an analysis of the five-year trend spanning from 2020 to 2024 reveals a broader decline in this segment. This downturn is largely attributed to escalating competitive pressures from digital streaming platforms, which have been steadily capturing market share. The CAGR for this period reflects a concerning negative trend of 2.45%, underlining the need for traditional broadcasters to adapt their strategies in response to the evolving landscape of media consumption.
