SA internet amongst most affordable in Africa

South Africa ranks highly for Internet affordability in Africa, according to the first annual Affordability Report, compiled by the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI).

In the report, A4AI indexes 46 emerging and developing countries across the world in terms of communication infrastructure and Internet access and affordability (equally-weighted).

Out of the 46 countries, South Africa is ranked as the 12th most affordable country for Internet access – 3rd in Africa, behind Mauritius (1st) and Morocco (2nd).

Malaysia is ranked the most affordable, overall, with and index score of 68.6, while Yemen is ranked as the least affordable market, with an Index score of 0.0 – below Malawi (45th at 3.1) and Zimbabwe (44th at 3.6).

According to the report, top-ranked Malaysia launched a National Broadband Initiative in 2010, with the aim to increase both supply and demand for broadband.

As a result of its drive, more than four in five people in the country now has access to 3G coverage, and more than 63% of households have an Internet connection.

source: www.bussinesstech.co

The internet as a catalyst for change in YEMEN

The economy is suffering, illiteracy levels are among the highest in the world, most of high school and university graduates are struggling to find jobs, and most devastating of all, the security situation has worsened as assassinations, kidnappings, and other violent activities continue unabated. That is the state of Yemen. But is it all that bad? Perhaps not. To characterize Yemen this way is unfair to a part of the community that is trying to reverse the country’s trajectory: the youth. My theory that the youngest generations of Yemenis are the country’s greatest asset and that they will help the country get back on its feet, relies heavily on the role of the Internet as a major catalyst for development.

For those young people who are searching for new ways to find jobs, engage with one another, do research and take a break from life’s daily hardships, the Internet has provided some sort of relief and hope mainly through the rich social networking experience it provides.

If the official launch of the Yemen chapter of the Internet Society ( IS O C) is any sign, I believe there is a reason to be hopeful. More than 200 people attended the Society’s launching ceremony that took place in a remote part of the capital Sana’a. Given the extra effort one had to take to arrive at the event on time made me optimistic about the strong desire Yemenis, particularly the youth, have for a stronger, more resilient and more accessible Internet.


source; www.yementimes.com