Forecast: Fixed Broadband Subscriptions in South Africa

Between 2013 and 2023, fixed broadband subscriptions in South Africa saw fluctuations, peaking initially in 2014 with a 3.99% year-on-year increase. The market then faced a decline lasting until 2018. However, 2019 marked a turning point with an 11.5% rise followed by steady growth, highlighted by a significant 28.76% jump in 2021 and a 13.99% increase in 2022, culminating in 3.41 subscriptions per hundred persons in 2023, with a 4.73% growth compared to 2022. The five-year CAGR was 12.03%. Future trends are forecasted to grow at a 3.19% five-year CAGR, emphasizing a need for infrastructure enhancement and digital inclusion.

Future trends to watch for:

• Transition towards fiber-optic networks as a critical infrastructure investment.
• Government and private investments in rural broadband expansion to drive growth.
• Emergence of new technologies and smart city initiatives potentially boosting subscriptions.
• Economic factors and consumer purchasing power impacting market penetration.