LOWER DATA COSTS COULD HELP NWU STUDENTS STAY CONNECTED

Akhona Maphumulo

@akhonamaphumulo9

 

The proposed Electronic Communications Amendment Bill could ease the financial burden on North-West University (NWU) students who rely on mobile data for their studies by encouraging greater competition in South Africa’s telecommunications sector.

 

The bill proposed changes that aim to improve access to communication services. It hopes to allow more companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), to use radio frequency spectrum to provide internet and mobile services. The changes could improve network coverage while making data more affordable for consumers.

 

According to Dr Hannelie Otto, lecturer in Communication, Journalism and Development Communication at NWU, increased competition among service providers could lower data prices and improve internet access. “If you have more competition, then prices hopefully will get more competitive, meaning lower for consumers,” Otto said.

 

Otto added that the bill could particularly benefit students living in rural communities and those studying through distance learning. She said one of her distance-learning students from a rural area struggled with poor internet quality, making it difficult to access online learning consistently.

 

Third-year education student Rozaan van Niekerk said buying data had become a necessity because campus Wi-Fi did not always meet students’ needs. “It puts a large gap in my budget because the Wi-Fi doesn’t work all over campus, so data is a necessity. It’s extremely expensive and usually doesn’t last long,” she said.

 

Finally, third-year BA Communication student Caitlyn Miles welcomed the possibility of lower data costs but said affordability should not come at the expense of reliable service. “Cheaper data would make internet access less of a worry, but I’d still be concerned about the quality of the service,” Miles said.

 

The bill remained under consideration, and students hope it will improve access to affordable, reliable internet and make online learning more accessible.

 

Lower data costs could help NWU students to be more connected (Source: Blog Acer.com). 

 

Edited by Isabel Burgers