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[[.za]] was granted to [[South Africa]] by [[ICANN]] in 1990, early on in the transition from the [[apartheid]]-era rule of South Africa's [[National Party]] to multi-party, multiracial government under the [[African National Congress]].
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{{Main|Broadband Internet access in South Africa}}
===Wireless in South Africa===
A number of companies offer broadband alternatives. [[Iburst]] offer their namesake, while cellular network companies [[MTN Group|MTN]] and [[Vodacom]] offer [[Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution|EDGE]], [[3G]] and [[HSDPA]]. Most are more expensive than ADSL offerings for mid-to-high usage, but can be more cost effective if low usage is required. MTN triggered a mini-price war in late February 2007. [http://www.ioltechnology.co.za/article_page.php?iSectionId=2884&iArticleId=3710444], with Iburst and Sentech also reducing their prices. Vodacom responded with dramatic price cuts of their own in March. South Africa is in the unusual position of having mobile broadband offerings cheaper than their fixed line alternatives. Its mobile offerings are competitive internationally, while its fixed line offering is extremely expensive.
===VOIP===
Until [[February 1]], [[2005]], the usage of [[VOIP]] outside of company networks was illegal under South African communications law, due to the short-term protection of jobs through [[Information technology|ICT]] legislation. The deregulation was announced by [[South African Ministry of Communications|Minister of Communications]] [[Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri]] in September 2004.
==World Wide Web in South Africa==
The web has played an increasing role in South African media relations.
===Politics===
The [[African National Congress]], the ruling party in the [[Parliament of South Africa|Parliament]], launched its website, [[anc.org.za]] in 1997 [http://web.archive.org/web/19970102192947/http://www.anc.org.za/], making it one of the first African political organizations to establish a presence on the [[World Wide Web]].
===Blogs===
Numerous blogs have been started in both South Africa and the South African diaspora, some of which, such as [[Crime Expo South Africa]], have been the subject of scrutiny in the international press.
==Links==
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Revision as of 00:17, 28 November 2007
The Internet has only enjoyed a short history in South Africa, which, until recently, has been the most technologically-resourced country on the African continent.
.za was granted to South Africa by ICANN in 1990, early on in the transition from the apartheid-era rule of South Africa's National Party to multi-party, multiracial government under the African National Congress.
Broadband in South Africa
Wireless in South Africa
A number of companies offer broadband alternatives. Iburst offer their namesake, while cellular network companies MTN and Vodacom offer EDGE, 3G and HSDPA. Most are more expensive than ADSL offerings for mid-to-high usage, but can be more cost effective if low usage is required. MTN triggered a mini-price war in late February 2007. [1], with Iburst and Sentech also reducing their prices. Vodacom responded with dramatic price cuts of their own in March. South Africa is in the unusual position of having mobile broadband offerings cheaper than their fixed line alternatives. Its mobile offerings are competitive internationally, while its fixed line offering is extremely expensive.
VOIP
Until February 1, 2005, the usage of VOIP outside of company networks was illegal under South African communications law, due to the short-term protection of jobs through ICT legislation. The deregulation was announced by Minister of Communications Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri in September 2004.
World Wide Web in South Africa
The web has played an increasing role in South African media relations.
Politics
The African National Congress, the ruling party in the Parliament, launched its website, anc.org.za in 1997 [2], making it one of the first African political organizations to establish a presence on the World Wide Web.
Blogs
Numerous blogs have been started in both South Africa and the South African diaspora, some of which, such as Crime Expo South Africa, have been the subject of scrutiny in the international press.