5 Million Users Online In SA
According to a report by the research group World Wide Worx, the number of internet users in South Africa has, for the first time, exceeded the 5 million mark. The Internet Access In South Africa study sponsored by Cisco, revealed that the number of people with online access in South Africa grew by 15% last year.
The study also suggested that we will see a steadily accelerating growth in online access, with World Wide Worx MD Arthur Goldstuck saying that he expected the number of South Africans online to double to 10 million by 2015.
Increasing literacy and computer literacy, as well as the growing availability of broadband in rural areas, and reduced broadband prices will all play a role in the steady growth of the local online market, he explained.
Great Business Opportunities
Goldstuck added that there were significant business opportunities in the sector, explaining "The opportunity is for businesses that use the internet as a vehicle for facilitating business, rather than as the basis of their business.
“In other words, businesses that have a customer base that is highly connected can now more and more actively engage with clients via the internet, and use it as a channel through which to service their customers more efficiently, quickly and cost effectively.”
Look To The Future
With the rapid growth of online access set to expand even further, and estimates that SA will pass the 6 million user mark before the end of 2010, there’s never been a better time to invest in growing your online presence.
In the coming year, as more and more users and service providers take advantage of the new undersea cable, and fibre-optic networks, it is confidently expected that the rate of growth when it comes to getting online in South Africa will only grow.