Connectivity Levy Raises Costs Without Fixing Rural Access

Summary

The South African government introduced a connectivity levy to improve internet access in rural areas by funding Usaasa, a public agency responsible for providing telecom services. However, industry experts say that Usaasa has not delivered on its promises due to poor management and inefficiency. Instead of helping rural communities, the levy has become an extra cost for telecom companies, making it more expensive for consumers to access mobile and internet services. This has raised concerns that the levy is less about improving connectivity and more about raising government revenue, while rural South Africans continue to struggle with limited and costly access to communication technology. Experts call for better oversight and a clearer plan to ensure the levy benefits those who need it most.

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