Page 17 - DPSA_SDR Vol 12 No.2 2019

SERVICE DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY

The new expanded public Wi-Fi network preparing learners for the 21st century results in a 1,38% increase in GDP.
will be available across all municipalities, world of work and life-long learning. The Online communication and collaboration
with a big boost of 3GB of data per Western Cape Education Department is critical for entrepreneurship, with
device per month at speeds five times has invested R253 million towards basic services like email and instant
faster than the current service. Each of e-learning in the 2018-19 financial year. messaging unlocking a potential
the public Wi-Fi hotspots will allow users To date, the provincial government explosion in opportunity and job
with Wi-Fi-enabled devices including has refurbished 700 computer labs, creation in environments where the
mobile phones, tablets, laptops and delivered over 32 000 devices, created unemployment rate is 24,5% (South
desktop computers to connect to the Wi- an online portal with 11 000 resources, Africa 2015 Q4).
Fi hotspot without logins or passwords. trained teachers to a point where 70%
The hotspots will be installed over the are improving at e-teaching, and plans Ericsson, a global telecommunications
next three years, and the project will run to invest R1,2 billion into e-learning over company, has reported that every 1
for five years in total. the next five years. 000 new broadband connections has
an impact of creating 80 new jobs and
Game changer Economic boost improves the volume of new businesses
registered by around 5%.
The initiative appreciates that the Access to the internet has a significant Access to the internet makes e-services
way in which young people interact, impact on economic development over more accessible to communities that
engage and learn is changing, and the time, helping to increase gross domestic would otherwise be unable to use this
importance of connectivity in creating product (GDP) and create jobs, allowing new method of service delivery. This
opportunities and opening up a world of entrepreneurs to emerge and increasing helps with the number of customers
knowledge for people of all ages. This the number of services offered. It also obtaining and paying bills on time, and
is why the Western Cape government’s provides a platform for selling goods being able to access information without
Broadband Game Changer is striving (e-commerce) and enables individuals increasing call volumes to a department
towards a scenario in which every and businesses to source better prices call centre. These improvements, in turn,
resident in every town and village and become price competitive. help to improve the efficiency of service
has access to affordable high-speed delivery and enhance people’s quality
broadband infrastructure and services, E-commerce is growing at a rate of of life. Deploying limited free internet
has the necessary skills to use it, and is around 30% a year, with the growth zones through public Wi-Fi hotspots will
actively doing so in their daily lives. showing no sign of slowing down. The have a significant impact on achieving
result is that an internet economy worth improved social and economic inclusion
Broadband is a key enabler for the R59 billion in 2011 and making up 2% of and will help improve the growth rate of
e-Learning Game Changer, which the South African economy, grew to as the economy over time. n
aims to enhance teaching and learning much as 2,5% of the economy by 2016.
using digital technology and focusing The World Bank has shown that a 10%
on poorer schools. It also focuses on increase in broadband penetration

Volume 12 No.2 of 2019 | SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW 15