Fixed broadband subscriptions in South Africa
South Africa: Fixed broadband subscriptions was 3.42 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Fixed broadband subscriptions in South Africa, 2002–2024
Source: World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Analysis
South Africa recorded 3.42 million for fixed broadband subscriptions in 2024. That is the highest value across all 23 years on record.
The figure is up 59.0% on the previous year and up 100.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fixed broadband subscriptions in South Africa peaked at 3.42 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 2,669, in 2002.
That places South Africa 47th out of 206 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Fixed broadband subscriptions in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2,669 | — |
| 2003 | 20,313 | +661.1% |
| 2004 | 60,000 | +195.4% |
| 2005 | 165,290 | +175.5% |
| 2006 | 335,112 | +102.7% |
| 2007 | 378,000 | +12.8% |
| 2008 | 426,000 | +12.7% |
| 2009 | 481,000 | +12.9% |
| 2010 | 743,000 | +54.5% |
| 2011 | 907,000 | +22.1% |
| 2012 | 1.11 million | +22.1% |
| 2013 | 1.62 million | +45.9% |
| 2014 | 1.71 million | +5.6% |
| 2015 | 1.41 million | -17.4% |
| 2016 | 1.15 million | -18.3% |
| 2017 | 1.12 million | -2.4% |
| 2018 | 1.11 million | -1.4% |
| 2019 | 1.25 million | +12.9% |
| 2020 | 1.30 million | +4.2% |
| 2021 | 1.69 million | +30.1% |
| 2022 | 1.95 million | +15.0% |
| 2023 | 2.15 million | +10.5% |
| 2024 | 3.42 million | +59.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 3.42 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 846,276, 4.0× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 3.42 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 49,177, 69.6× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Fixed broadband subscriptions in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | +661.1% | 2,669 | 20,313 |
| 2004 | +195.4% | 20,313 | 60,000 |
| 2005 | +175.5% | 60,000 | 165,290 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 233,548 | 2,669 | 481,000 | 8 |
| 2010s | 1.21 million | 743,000 | 1.71 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.10 million | 1.30 million | 3.42 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More infrastructure data for South Africa
- Mobile cellular subscriptions 114.79 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions 179.34 per 100 people (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions 1.01 million (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions 1.58 per 100 people (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, per capita 0.0158 units per person (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, annual growth rate -25.13 % change on previous year (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, gaps filled 1.01 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita 1.79 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fixed broadband subscriptions in South Africa?
- Fixed broadband subscriptions in South Africa was 3.42 million in 2024, according to World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
- What is the highest fixed broadband subscriptions recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.42 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest fixed broadband subscriptions recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,669 in 2002.
- How does South Africa rank for fixed broadband subscriptions?
- South Africa ranks 47th out of 206 countries with data for 2024.
- Is fixed broadband subscriptions rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 100.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), published as part of Fixed broadband subscriptions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 23 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Fixed broadband subscriptions refers to fixed subscriptions to high-speed access to the public Internet (a TCP/IP connection), at downstream speeds equal to, or greater than, 256 kbit/s. This includes cable modem, DSL, fiber-to-the-home/building, other fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions, satellite broadband and terrestrial fixed wireless broadband. This total is measured irrespective of the method of payment. It excludes subscriptions that have access to data communications (including the Internet) via mobile-cellular networks. It should include fixed WiMAX and any other fixed wireless technologies. It includes both residential subscriptions and subscriptions for organizations.