We are residents of the rural communities of Koingnaas, Hondeklip Bay, Soebatsfontein, and surrounding areas, where we face significant challenges with mobile internet connectivity.

Our community heavily relies on LTE mobile broadband as the only viable internet option since fibre services are not available in our area. Unfortunately, all Internet Service Providers (ISPs), including Axxess, Vox, Afrihost, Webafrica, among others, have halted new client registrations, leaving us with limited options for connectivity.

Rural digital inclusion must be treated as a national development priority. Koingnaas and the broader surrounding rural community, including nearby towns of Hondeklipbaai, Soebatsfontein, farming communities and smallholdings, and up to places like Spoegrivier, is a deeply isolated region of the Northern Cape, accessible only via gravel roads. Residents are predominantly elderly and from economically disadvantaged groups. The area is only accessible via gravel roads and is at least two hours' drive from (165 km) Springbok, our nearest large town. This is the only place offering emergency care (ambulance, hospital, doctors, dentists), banking, tow-in, and other essential services. Not all residents own vehicles, and no public transport service exists.

This community was formerly a private diamond mining town that employed people from this labour-sending area. With the mine's closure more than 10 years ago, traditional employment has largely disappeared. Economically active residents of the area now depend on remote work, freelancing, online businesses, and working at small mining operations along the coast. However, a large portion of all residents remain unemployed.

Access to digital education, job opportunities, telehealth consultations, government services, and online banking, all of which require reliable internet, is a challenge for residents. Currently, mobile data is the only realistic option, but severe network congestion has reduced speeds to below 1 Mbps at peak times. The lack of connectivity is an economic and social emergency as it prevents residents from accessing healthcare remotely, finding employment or online learning, and participating in modern economic life.

As tourism makes up a large part of the small economy in and around this area, the lack of reliable internet creates a negative effect on this industry as well.

Any opportunities for investment into the region, which is rich in alluvial diamonds and heavy minerals, may be hampered by the limitation of network capacity.

Without urgent intervention, the community faces further decline and abandonment. Improved connectivity would directly support economic survival, remote employment, and the dignity and safety of our residents. 

We call on ICASA, the Department of Communications & Digital Technologies, and mobile network operators to conduct an urgent investigation into the current mobile network capacity in our region and upgrade the infrastructure to enhance bandwidth and ensure network reliability.