SA Smart Cities

What is a “smart city”? Well, it’s a term to describe a city that uses technology to address service delivery

challenges, but building a smart city is about more than just using technology, it’s about improving people’s lives, because if you think about it people are the heart and soul of the smart city concept. Smart cities don’t only need government commitment, but also support from the citizens of the city in order to be successful.

WiFi internet access has grown a lot in South Africa and it still is, but who will pay for it? A few municipalities in SA are leading the way to build smart cities. Introducing public WiFi access means an opportunity to make SA cities smart and encourage economic growth, but there is always the question of who will fund it?

Universal WiFi is so much more than a way for everyone to have access to the internet, World Bank statistics show that a 10% increase in access results in 1% growth in GDP. Our Mother City (Cape Town) is building its broadband programme according to the needs of different communities, our city is actually working towards making Cape Town the most connected city on the continent! SmartCape access computers have been installed in libraries and other walk-in centres across the communities, apparently there has also been talk of a deal being signed with Neotel which would mean universal internet coverage.

The city of Tshwane also has the goal to try achieving universal WiFi and guessing what the first stage is already complete, meaning in the next 18 months the city will expand and roll out about 600 extra WiFi hotspots throughout the city – amazing!

According to the national policy there should be universal broadband coverage by 2020, I’m pretty sure most of us would agree the mobile way is definitely the right route to take, however it is likely the cost of data would definitely continue to limit mass adoption of high speed data services.

A true smart city is one with well-defined processes, connected by smart new age technologies, it allows you as the citizen to experience all public services with ease and low cost, overall smart cities are all about making your life better and easier.

Do you need assistance with your WiFi, or perhaps other IT services? Contact us at The Computer Guyz in Cape Town and Centurion, we offer IT support, website design and hosting and so much more.

Written By: Christine Romans
CopyWriter at The Computer Guyz Cape Town