World Telecommunication Week 2024: Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development
World Telecommunication Day emphasises the importance of digital solutions to address major global challenges and accelerate progress in key areas such as academic, unemployment, and digital literacy in marginalised communities.
The purpose of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is to raise awareness of the possibilities that the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as ways to bridge the digital divide. WTISD’s origins date back to the signing of the First International Telegraph Convention on 17 May 1865, which marked the establishment of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
“The 17th of May happens to have been one of the days chosen to recognise the contribution of telecommunication in any business and more especially as an enabler of economic development. We therefore reflect on how important telecommunication is to the communities.”
Chairperson of the Independent Authority of South Africa, Mothibi Ramusi, said
WTISD offers the chance to explore how digital innovation can help connect everyone and unlock sustainable prosperity for all. WTISD 2024 reminds the world of the progress yet to be made to ensure that everyone can benefit from digital technologies.
Ramusi adds, “Looking at the South African landscape, we previously had few telecommunication companies that were providing services to both businesses and citizens. ICASA has enabled more access for more service providers who have an appetite within the telecommunications field.” He further highlights that this access comes with a strong regulatory framework.
The South African telecommunication landscape has faced disruptive technologies transitioning from analogue to digital. However, disruptive technologies such as social media and wireless programs (4G and 5G) have enabled much-needed change within the landscape. These digital technologies include new-media telecoms, encouraging digital transformation despite the gap in digital literacy in many communities.
“Post-apartheid, we have managed to enable communication to form the basic services to many communities in South Africa. As a country, we have managed to put together a regulatory framework, and providing strategic advice is the biggest achievement because if you don’t have institutions that provide guidance, there will be chaos in the provision of services. Moreover, the agency has created an enabling environment for international companies to come and invest in South Africa. We see it through some of the major companies that are providing technology, some are working closely with academics engaging in research,” said Chairperson Ramusi.
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