The number of South African Internet users has passed the 5-million mark for the first time, finally breaking through the 10% mark in Internet penetration for the country. This is the key finding of the Internet Access in South Africa 2010 study conducted by World Wide Worx.
Other highlights:
* The Internet user base grew by 15% last year, from 4,6-million to 5,3-million
* Growth is expected at a similar rate in 2010 bringing the user base to the 6-million mark by the end of the year.
* The landing of a new undersea cable on the South African coast was only one of a range of factors behind the growth. Of greater significance was the granting of Electronic Communications Network Service licenses to more than 400 organisations.
* Small and medium enterprises migrating from dial-up connectivity driving broadband uptake.
Each company moving from dial-up to ADSL, for example, extended Internet access to general office staff.