For a (mostly) developed country, certainly one of the most developed countries in Africa, South Africa's internet penetration is abysmally low. There are, of course, many logical reasons for this: the relative poverty of most of the population, lack of internet access, lack of bandwidth and, until recently, the high cost of bandwidth available. According to Q3 statistics released by Nielsen Online and the Digital Media and Marketing Association (DMMA), all this is changing and internet use in the country is starting to reach impressive levels.
Statistics take into account monthly unique browsers (UBs) via desktop and mobile access. The Media Online reports that desktop Q3 UBs grew by 53% in 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The number of local uniques (local browsers) accessing DMMA desktop websites increased by 22%.
According to Karen Dembpers, head of marketing for DMMA, "The Q3 audience figures confirm the market's continued growth as the internet matures in South Africa."
There are a number of reasons for this, but the most important (for desktops) is decreasing bandwidth costs. In an article on TechCentral, Greg Payne, director of Afrihost, is quoted as saying that consumers are paying up to two thirds less for bandwidth than they were a year ago. These days, you can buy 50GB of data for less than you would have paid for 10GB in 2009.
The proliferation of uncapped ADSL packages has also helped boost internet use. With uncapped ADSL users can download videos and music to their hearts' content, spend unlimited time on social networks, and spend more time than is healthy playing online games.
Growth in mobile internet use outstrips desktop use by far. According to the Nielsen Online and DMMA statistics, the average number of daily mobile unique increased by 403% year-on-year and monthly unique browsers increased by 445%. This is because mobile internet access is more convenient for a population that is not always near a desktop and also because mobile data pricing is also coming down. In addition, more mobile devices allow for internet access, not just mobile phones. Users can access the web from tablets such as Apple's iPad and gaming consoles such as PlayStation.
Mobile access is increasing all the time, and Payne believes that bandwidth prices will continue to drop until they are inline with international prices. All of which is good news for South Africa internet users, the old and the new.
Statistics take into account monthly unique browsers (UBs) via desktop and mobile access. The Media Online reports that desktop Q3 UBs grew by 53% in 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The number of local uniques (local browsers) accessing DMMA desktop websites increased by 22%.
According to Karen Dembpers, head of marketing for DMMA, "The Q3 audience figures confirm the market's continued growth as the internet matures in South Africa."
There are a number of reasons for this, but the most important (for desktops) is decreasing bandwidth costs. In an article on TechCentral, Greg Payne, director of Afrihost, is quoted as saying that consumers are paying up to two thirds less for bandwidth than they were a year ago. These days, you can buy 50GB of data for less than you would have paid for 10GB in 2009.
The proliferation of uncapped ADSL packages has also helped boost internet use. With uncapped ADSL users can download videos and music to their hearts' content, spend unlimited time on social networks, and spend more time than is healthy playing online games.
Growth in mobile internet use outstrips desktop use by far. According to the Nielsen Online and DMMA statistics, the average number of daily mobile unique increased by 403% year-on-year and monthly unique browsers increased by 445%. This is because mobile internet access is more convenient for a population that is not always near a desktop and also because mobile data pricing is also coming down. In addition, more mobile devices allow for internet access, not just mobile phones. Users can access the web from tablets such as Apple's iPad and gaming consoles such as PlayStation.
Mobile access is increasing all the time, and Payne believes that bandwidth prices will continue to drop until they are inline with international prices. All of which is good news for South Africa internet users, the old and the new.
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