Access to information and communication: estimating the determinants of Internet usage in South Africa
estimating the determinants of Internet usage in South Africa
Copyright and Licensing:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Share:
How to Cite
Access to information and communication: estimating the determinants of Internet usage in South Africa. (2022). Communicare: Journal for Communication Studies in Africa, 25(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.36615/jcsa.v25i1.1728
- Articles
- Submited: October 18, 2022
-
Published: October 20, 2022
Abstract
This paper attempts to estimate the determinants of Internet usage in South Africa in a theoretically
plausible model. The three-step Engle Yoo estimation technique is applied. The results indicate
that the number of Internet users is dependent on access to personal computers as well as real
wages and salaries. An error correction model is estimated and shocks are applied to the long
run variables. The shocks indicate that an increase in wages and salaries is necessary, but not
sufficient, for an increase in Internet access. The South African government has implemented
numerous policies to address the disparities that exist in the country concerning access to
information and communication. Policies such as personal income tax relief and skills development
play an integral part in addressing limited access to the Internet, although these policies sometimes
contradict the perceived objective.
Article Metrics Graph
References
- ANON 2001a. Spanning the digital divide: Understanding and tackling the issues. Bridges.org. [Web:] http://www.bridges.org/spanning/chpt2.html#_Toc515100155
- ANON 2002b. Telecommunications in Africa-recent trends and developments. Technology issues, Vol 5(1).
- AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING AUTHORITY. 2000. Australian families and Internet usage. [Web:] http://www.aba.gov.au/internet/research/families/usage3.htm
- BUDGET REVIEW. 2005. Republic of South Africa National Treasury.
- BUSINESS DAY. 2005. Skills levy break double-edge. [Web:] http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/ article.aspx?ID=BD4A22766
- BUSINESS REPORT 10 YEARS. Income distribution in SA is alarming. [Web:] http://www.businessreport.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=2517056&fSectionId=562&fSetId=304
- FLORES, C. 2003. Measuring the relationship between ICT and income inequality in Chile. University of Texas. [Web:] http://utip.gov.utexas.edu/web/workingpaper/UTIP26.pdf
- MANGOCHI. 2000. Policy guidelines on making ICT a priority in turning SADC into an information based economy.
- SARROCCO, C. 2002. Improving IP connectivity in the least developed countries: breaking the vicious circle. The journal of policy, regulation and strategy for telecommunications. Vol.4(3). [Web:] http://oberon.emeraldinsight.com/vl=15564460/cl=53/nw=1/rpsv/cgi- bin/linker?ini=emerald&reqidx=/ cw/mcb/14636697/v4n3/s1/p14 https://doi.org/10.1108/14636690210439989
- STATISTICS NEW ZEALAND. 2004. Household access to the Internet. [Web:] http://www.stats.govt.nz/products-and-services/Articles/hhold-access-inet.htm
- SOUTH AFRICAN DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR. [Web:] http://www.labour.gov.za/act/section_detail.jsp legislationId=5976&actId=7310§ionId=7313
- STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA. CENSUS 2001. Contact person: Veli Mahlangu, VeliMAH@statssa.gov.za
- UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. 2000. Falling thought the net: Toward digital inclusion: A report on Americans' access to technology tools. [Web:] http://search.ntia.doc.gov/pdf/fttn00.pdf
- VAIDYA, B. 2003. Rural access in Nepal using wireless IP technology. 1st International Workshop on Networking Technologies (IWNT). 2003. Bangkok, Thailand, 17 December 2003.
- WEBCHEK, 1999a. What percentage of black South Africans have Web access? [Web:] http://www.webchek.co.za/library_black.html
- WEBCHEK, 1999b. Women on the Web: 1999 statistics. [Web:] http://www.webchek.co.za/library_women.html
- WEBCHEK, 2000a. Women on the web - a year on, do they now dominate or are the figures similar to those found in 2000? [Web:] http://www.webchek.co.za/library_women3.html
- WEBCHEK, 2000b. What is holding back Internet growth in South Africa? [Web:] http://www.webchek.co.za/library_holdback.html
- WEBCHEK, 2003. Size of the Internet market in South Africa - findings from research conducted in August and October 2003. [Web:] http://www.webchek.co.za/library_size.html WORLD BANK. World Bank African Economic Indicators. Various editions.
- WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM. 2004. Geneva, Switzerland. Africa Competitiveness Report. [Web:]http://www.weforum.org/site/homepublic.nsf/Content/Global+Competitiveness+Programme%5C Africa+Competitiveness+Report
- WORLD WIDE WORX. 2002. The Goldstuck Report: Internet Access in South Africa 2002. [Web:] http://www.theworx.biz/access02.htm
- WORLD WIDE WORX. 2003. The Goldstuck Report: Internet Access in South Africa 2004. [Web:] http://www.theworx.biz/access03.htm
- WORLD WIDE WORX. 2005. Great expectations stall on the Internet. [Web:] http://www.theworx.biz/access05.htm
- ZAPPACOSTA, M. 2001. Information technologies for rural development: between promises and mirages: The journal of policy, regulation and strategy for telecommunications. Vol. 3(6). [Web:]
- https://doi.org/10.1108/146366901317346569
- http://titania.emeraldinsight.com/vl=6594170/cl=26/nw=1/rpsv/cgi-bin/linker?ini=emerald&reqidx=/cw/mcb/14636697/v3n6/s7/p521
How to Cite
Access to information and communication: estimating the determinants of Internet usage in South Africa. (2022). Communicare: Journal for Communication Studies in Africa, 25(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.36615/jcsa.v25i1.1728
