Communications Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced that each South African family would get 10Gig of free data per month. The truth is that modernization of economies comes with adoption of technology(Data). Cell C data prepaid packages seems to be the cheapest at R139 per month. It is estimated that there are 17.16 million households in South African. It would costs government R2,3 Billion a month on a Cell C Network alon.
But then what can you do with 10 Gig of data per month. It would allow you ten hours of Netflix, 60 hours of YouTube or listening to 2,000 songs. The viewing time is reduced when multiple devices are connected. On the other hand quantifying the overall benefits of data access is very difficult. Impoverished communities can start adoption mobile technologies such as Pocket Doctor (WhatsApp Calls), Home Deliveries (Checkers 60Sixty) and Online Schooling (Free Learning Material).
The benefits could out way if implemented well. Having said that, the are other social problems to deal with. Maybe some of the solutions require this intervention.
Economics and Finance SA 