Telecommunications in South Africa

1800

Since then all 1G cell towers in South Africa have been repurposed as 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G infrastructure or decommissioned. === 2G === South Africa offers GSM 900 and GSM 1800 with almost 99% coverage.

1859

The first telegraph was launched on 2 December 1859, and the Cape of Good Hope Telegraph Company opened the line in April 1860. At about the time of the Bell Telephone Company's development of the telephone industry post-1876, early undersea telegraph links were introduced, first connecting Durban and Europe, and later connecting the country to the rest of the world.

1860

The first telegraph was launched on 2 December 1859, and the Cape of Good Hope Telegraph Company opened the line in April 1860. At about the time of the Bell Telephone Company's development of the telephone industry post-1876, early undersea telegraph links were introduced, first connecting Durban and Europe, and later connecting the country to the rest of the world.

1879

In 1879, the first submarine cable system that connected South Africa with Europe started to work, through the East Coast cable of the South African Telegraph Company, a single channel cable. In 1889, it was installed the first West Coast submarine cable from Cape Town to Europe.

1889

In 1879, the first submarine cable system that connected South Africa with Europe started to work, through the East Coast cable of the South African Telegraph Company, a single channel cable. In 1889, it was installed the first West Coast submarine cable from Cape Town to Europe.

1960

In the 1960s, South Africa was connected to 72 nations and total outgoing annual international calls numbered over 28,800. Telkom was incorporated on 30 September 1991 as a public limited liability company registered under the South African Companies Act, 61 of 1973, as amended. In 1993 GSM was demonstrated for the first time in Africa at Telkom '93 in Cape Town.

1968

In 1968, the SAT-1 cable was laid.

1973

In the 1960s, South Africa was connected to 72 nations and total outgoing annual international calls numbered over 28,800. Telkom was incorporated on 30 September 1991 as a public limited liability company registered under the South African Companies Act, 61 of 1973, as amended. In 1993 GSM was demonstrated for the first time in Africa at Telkom '93 in Cape Town.

1991

In the 1960s, South Africa was connected to 72 nations and total outgoing annual international calls numbered over 28,800. Telkom was incorporated on 30 September 1991 as a public limited liability company registered under the South African Companies Act, 61 of 1973, as amended. In 1993 GSM was demonstrated for the first time in Africa at Telkom '93 in Cape Town.

1993

In the 1960s, South Africa was connected to 72 nations and total outgoing annual international calls numbered over 28,800. Telkom was incorporated on 30 September 1991 as a public limited liability company registered under the South African Companies Act, 61 of 1973, as amended. In 1993 GSM was demonstrated for the first time in Africa at Telkom '93 in Cape Town.

1994

In 1994 the first GSM networks in Africa were launched in South Africa. In 1994, South Africa launched a mobile operations, underwritten by Telkom in partnership with Vodafone, with 36,000 active customer on the network.

1995

This issue was currently being discussed by the Parliamentary Committee on Telecommunications. The first public videoconference between the continent of Africa and North America occurred on 24 June 1995 (2:00-3:00 p.m.

2004

Organisations which took credit were technology sponsors Picturetel and Telkom, plus Peacecast organisors Unity 95, Parallel University, Vortex, Creativity Cafe and line producer "Cybersafari to Africa". In 2004, the Department of Communications redefined the Electronics Communications Act, which consolidated and redefined the landscape of telecommunications licensing in South Africa (both mobile and fixed).

The deregulation of VoIP was announced by former Minister of Communications Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri in September 2004. === 1G === 1G used to be offered by Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Telkom.

2005

Many hotspots offer usage free of charge, though frequently only after registration and/or for a limited amount of time or data. === Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) === Until 1 February 2005, the usage of VoIP outside of company networks was illegal under South African communications law, ostensibly to protect jobs.

2007

MTN triggered a price war in late February 2007, offering 2 GB for each 1 GB bought, with Iburst giving a small "data bonus" to their contract customers and Sentech also reducing their prices.

Vodacom responded with dramatic price cuts of their own on 1 April 2007, after which Cell C reduced prices on their larger offerings to undercut both MTN and Vodacom. Internet hotspots are ubiquitous in hotels, coffee shops, and the like.

2008

This subsidiary grew to be Vodacom, which Telkom sold in late 2008 in preference for its own 3G network.

The company provides over 100 video and over 78 audio channels, and in 2008 introduced its first HD video channel.

Since then an additional five HD channels have been introduced - namely M-Net HD, SuperSport HD, Discovery HD, SuperSport HD 2, M-Net Movies 1 HD and SuperSport HD 3. In 2008, additional pay-TV licenses were granted to various companies in South Africa.

2009

Vodacom, together with the other operators, have come under criticism in late 2009 by government and the public for high interconnect charges.

In 2009, SEACOM - the second undersea cable to land in South Africa - jointly owned and operated by Neotel - was switched on.

Whilst this is the largest number in Africa, South Africa's broadband penetration of 4% is significantly below international standards. ===Broadband=== ====ADSL==== In late 2009, Telkom began trialling 8 and 12 Mbit/s ADSL offerings.

2010

As of January 2010, none of the companies granted a license have begun providing services.

However, On Digital Media (ODM), have stated that they are on track to begin sale of their product in May 2010, and that prices will be significantly cheaper than their competitor DStv.

As of January 2010, South Africa has over 2 million broadband subscribers.

In August 2010, Telkom officially introduced ADSL at 10 Mbit/s.

2012

In 2012, mobile penetration was estimated at more than 10%, one of the highest rates in the world.

In 2012, DSTV now has added 8 more channels all for movies. == Internet == Although expensive compared to more developed nations, broadband is easily obtainable in South Africa.

2013

Charges consist of three parts: the ADSL line rental (costs range from R169 for 2 Mbit/s, R389 for 8Mbit/s, and R555 for 40Mbit/s line access), the analogue phone line rental (R157, as of August 2013, which includes a landline number) and an ISP account.

2018

a new provider, Rain launched in 2018 providing majority data only services to consumers. == History == The first use of telecommunication in the Republic of South Africa was a single line telegraph connecting Cape Town and Simonstown.

As of October 2018, fixed line DSL speeds on offer range between 2 Mbit/s to 40 Mbit/s. ====Fibre to the home (FTTH)==== Currently Openserve (a division of Telkom), Vumatel, MTN, and Broadband Infraco are among the providers rolling out fibre to the home (FTTH) networks across major cities and towns. There are also about a dozen other small providers rolling out mostly to gated estates and neighbourhoods.

2019

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is the watchdog of the telecommunications in the country. In 2019, Telkom, the South African telecommunications parastatal, was partly privatised and entered into a strategic equity partnership with a consortium of two companies, including SBC, a U.S.

In 2019, mobile penetration reached 95%. Mobile market in South Africa is controlled by four cellular providers: Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom (Mobile), which is run by Telkom, With Vodacom and MTN controlling the 75% of the market share, ICASA considers that mobile brand services are highly concentrated in the country.

2020

However, it still receives criticisms (see later) from smaller operators and the Competition Commission for setting South African broadband pricing in its favour. In 2020, MTN, Vodacom and Rain launched 5G network in South Africa. == Television == Four main television stations are available to the public.




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Page generated on 2021-08-05