"Aside from providing specifics, ISPA is hopeful the Minister will see fit to up the stated broadband investment in light of high-speed technology's proven ability to boost poverty-reducing GDP growth. Broadband is not a plaything for the well-off. Fast, affordable access to communication services and the Internet is becoming a utility, as important for South Africa to function as water and power," Beneke says. "Government is eyeing 100% broadband connectivity by 2020. If government wants to get increasingly involved in establishing broadband networks, then ISPA would like to ensure that this was done on an open access basis and made available to ISPs and other service providers to compete on. "Broadband infrastructure investments rolled-out by Telkom should become leasable by other ISPs via Telkom's wholesale division. This would ensure that broadband penetration is evened out and all bona fide industry players have an equal opportunity to expand SA's broadband network," Beneke adds.