South Africa allocates ZAR2.5bn for broadband deployments

The South African government has allocated ZAR2.5 billion (USD179.8 million) for a push to roll out broadband networks across the country over the next three years, TechCentral reports. According to telecoms minister Siyabonga Cwele, the first phase of the project will provide eight sites with high-speed broadband access. ‘There is still a shortfall in our funding, but we hope to start rolling out broadband as soon as possible … We are sure additional money will come in as we start building.’ The government is aiming to connect the whole South African population to high-speed broadband access within five years.