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Universal Service and Access FundRef: https://usaasa.org.za/broadband/

Official source

Source domain: usaasa.org.za

Collected on 17 June 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

This document is a webpage section titled “Broadband” from the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) / Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF) site. It describes USAF/USAASA’s Broadband Infrastructure Rollout to expand affordable, high-speed internet to rural and underserved areas, including Wi‑Fi hotspots in public institutions and communities, and lists example target areas and citizen benefits. It also describes the Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) project to transition from analogue TV to digital terrestrial television (DTT), including eligibility for subsidised set-top boxes for households earning less than R3,500/month and how registration and installation work.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

free digital television deviceOngoing

Subsidised Set-Top Box (STB) under the BDM Project

Households earning less than R3,500 per month can receive a free set-top box to access over 10 free-to-air digital TV channels, including educational and public broadcasting content. The device enables access to improved signal quality and reliability after the transition from analogue to digital television.

Who it is for
households earning less than R3,500 per month
How to act on it
Register at a local municipality office, SA Post Office branch, or via the online portal www.stbregistration.gov.za
Show the line this came from
Qualifying households (earning less than R3,500/month) receive subsidized STBs to decode digital signals, enabling access to over 10 free channels
free public Wi-Fi accessOngoing

Wi-Fi Hotspot Access in Public Institutions and Communities

Residents in targeted rural and underserved areas can access free Wi-Fi hotspots installed in schools, clinics, municipal offices, community halls, taxi ranks, car washes, spaza shops, and local businesses. These connections support online learning, telemedicine, job searches, e-government services, and digital skills development.

Who it is for
residents in rural and underserved communities, especially in OR Tambo, Pixley Ka Seme, Harry Gwala, and Impendle areas
How to act on it
Use the hotspot directly at any location where it is deployed without application or registration
Show the line this came from
Wi-Fi hotspots in schools, clinics, connectivity to municipal offices, rural Wi-Fi zones for community access, local businesses and community libraries and halls aimed at skills development and e-services

Facts

Places

Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal

Reference

https://usaasa.org.za/broadband/

Amounts

R 4

Key Takeaways

  • USAF managed by USAASA drives Broadband Infrastructure Rollout to bridge South Africa’s digital divide
  • Broadband focus: affordable, high-speed internet for rural and underserved communities
  • SA Connect alignment: deploy broadband infrastructure and Wi‑Fi hotspots in public institutions (schools, clinics, government offices) and communities
  • District Development Model (DDM): projects target specific districts for digital inclusion and local economic growth
  • Partnerships include Broadband Infraco, municipalities, and private providers
  • Example key deployed areas/districts: OR Tambo (Eastern Cape), Pixley Ka Seme (Northern Cape), Harry Gwala (KwaZulu-Natal), Impendle Local Municipality (KwaZulu-Natal)
  • BDM project: transition from analogue television to digital terrestrial television (DTT)
  • BDM STB eligibility: households earning less than R3,500/month qualify for subsidised set-top boxes
  • BDM benefits: access to 10+ free digital TV channels (free-to-air) and improved signal quality/reliability
  • Registration channels mentioned: local municipalities, SA Post Office, and www.stbregistration.gov.za
  • Installation mentioned: partner entities like Sentech install STBs and ensure signal connectivity
  • Legal reference: Sections 88 and 90 of the ECA indicate USAF should be used (among other functions) to subsidise ICT infrastructure in under-serviced areas
  • Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF)
  • Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA)
  • Broadband Infraco
  • Sentech
  • SABC
  • SA Post Office
  • Sentech
  • SABC
  • www.stbregistration.gov.za
  • SA Connect program
  • District Development Model (DDM)
  • Broadband Infrastructure Rollout
  • Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) project
  • District Development Model (DDM)