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Towards an Adaptive Socio-Technical Broadband Growth and Penetration (BGP) Framework: a Case of SADC ------ M06007065iEl 7 Towards an adaptive socio-technical Broadband Growth and Penetration (BGP) framework: A case of SADC. KARIKOGA GOREJENA 24878553 Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Information Systems) at the Mafikeng Campus of the North-West University 2018 -11 - 1 4 p.ee ~•o.: \ NOkTH-WEST U1JtvE.R5iTY Supervisor: Prof Nehemiah Mavetera Co-supervisor: Dr Mthulisi Velempini • OORTI< -WEST UHWERSITT ® YUNIBESITI YA BOKONE-BOPHIRIMA NOORDWES-UNIVERSITEIT COPYRIGHT: All rights are reserved by Karikoga Gorejena and the North West University, South Africa. DECLARATION I do here by declare that Towards An Adaptive Socio-Technical Broadband Growth and Penetration (BGP) Framework: A case of SADC is my work and hereby present it for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems at the North West University, South Africa. This work has not been submitted to any university or educational institution before for examination. All materials consulted have been duly acknowledged through referencing . .......~~~ .... ...... ......................... .................... ... .. .. .. ... Karikoga Gorejena ii DEDICATION I dedicate this work to all the 3rd World people of all ethnic backgrounds whose potential has not been maximised and whose dreams became a nightmare due to the unforgiving circumstances around their birthplaces. l also dedicate this work to my late parents Mr 0 . and Mrs K. Gorejena. To Clara Mauwa, Ruth, Prince and Daniel Gorejena. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to acknowledge God Almighty for enabling me to live beyond human ability and for insightful nuggets captured in this work. Thanks Dad. My graceful gratitude goes to my promoters, Prof N. Mavetera and Dr M. Velempini for your patience with me and your unwavering support throughout this work. Prof Mavetera thank you for your candour and brotherly engagements. Dr Velempini, your attention to detail was immaculate, I will always treasure your rigor. Gentlemen, only God can reward you. To all Information Systems department crew, thank you for your genuine support and understanding. You mean a lot to me. I want to thank my dean of faculty of Commerce and Administration for your financial support and personal encouragement during this project, may the Lord bless you. My greatest appreciated to NWU bursaries, ADC support and many more who unconsciously contributed to the success of this project. Clara Mauwa, you have always believed in me and your steadfast love and support has seen me through this work. Ruth, Prince and Daniel you are God's masterpieces, may you carry His Presence to your generation. You have been a silent but sure inspiration. iv ABSTRACT The transformative benefits of broadband on economic and social variables have led governments to set ambitious targets for its deployment. In making a case for public policy on broadband, many studies have sought to identify and measure broadband economic benefits. The everyday benefits of broadband cannot be overemphasised; in the medical fraternity remote and complex surgical operations are carried out by robots via satellites, executives are empowered to make decisions and access new opportunities through online information and the list is endless. In an increasingly integrated global economy, broadband is central in providing economic growth and competitiveness to any organisation, country or region. On a world scale SADC countries rank among some of those with lowest broadband growth and penetration. This phenomenon has its roots in the frameworks being used to promote broadband growth and adoption among other things in these member states. This research argues that traditional broadband frameworks used across the world are quite similar in their design though they may be implemented differently. The research used a few examples to illustrate this. As a point of departure, this research submits that broadband frameworks may share similar structures but these structures need to be permeated and influenced by the uniqueness of the people group among which they intend to be implemented. As a result, each framework needs to reflect a certain degree of this uniqueness both in structure and implementation. Using Socio-Technical Theory (STT) as a lens, this constructive research task aims to propose a framework for enhancing broadband growth and penetration in SADC. The research seeks to present an evolutionary and adaptive framework for broadband growth and penetration by analysing and integrating the major determinants in our reality space which are Society, Technology and their Environment. This Socio-technical environment was studied in bid to establish the relationships that exist and should exist between the mentioned determinants. The resulting framework articulated principles that should underpin and guide efforts of task teams and/or governments as they thrive to achieve broadband growth and penetration within the region. The outcome of this research is an evolutionary and adaptive broadband growth and penetration framework. The framework will also serve as a guide for future models applicable to an V information society where broadband is viewed as a vehicle for globalisation and national to regional competitiveness. The outcome of this research which is a socially constructed artefact; a framework for broadband growth and penetration in SADC was tested using focus groups comprising IT experts. In the interest of smooth understanding of this study it is expedient to define key and technical terms which are frequently used in this document. vi LIST OF ACADEMIC OUTPUTS FROM THIS STUDY Gorejena, K., Mavetera, N. & Velempini, M., 2014, "Towards An Adaptive Socio-Technical Broadband Growth And Penetration (BGP) Framework: A Case Of SADC", Crafting Global Competitive Economies: 2020 Vision Strategic Planning & Smart Implementation ISBN: 978-0- 9860419-3-8 (Proceedings) Gorejena, K., Mavetera, N. & Velempini, M., 2016 "A critique and potency of socio-technical systems theory: A quest for broadband growth and penetration" Public and Municipal Finance, Volume 5, Issue 2, 2016 Gorejena, K., Mavetera, N. & Velempini, M., 2016 "A framework for dealing with the complexities of a Socio-Technical environment: A case of South African broadband." World Multi-Conference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics 2016 (Proceedings) Gorejena, K., Mavetera, N. & Velempini, M., 20 14 "The efficacy of mixed methods: a case of SADC broadband growth and penetration" International Journal of Innovation Management (World Scientific) (Submitted) Research Proposal Colloquium (NWU) 2014 Methodology Colloquium (NWU) 2015 Results Colloquium (NWU) 2016 vii DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS AS USED IN THIS RESEARCH Broadband: broadband does not have a single, standardised definition. Definitions based on data transfer speed are not able to take into account the very fast evolution in technologies and uses. Is a bandwidth of 256 kbit/s a broadband connection? Should the lower limit be set to 1 Mbit/s? There is no definitive answer as the bandwidth required to run internet applications is continuously increasing and infrastructure standards are also continuously improving to face the growing demand. Such a definition can only be relative to a particular moment in time in a particular country (EU 2008). The term "broadband" may refer to multiple aspects of the network and services, including: 1) the infrastructure used to deliver services to users; 2) high-speed access to the Internet; and/or 3) the services and applications available via broadband networks, such as Internet protocol television (IPTV) and voice services that may be bundled in a "triple play" package (one in which video, voice and data are provided for in a single access subscription) with broadband Internet access. Further, each country has its own definition of broadband based on speed, typically in Mbit/s or kilobits per second (kbit/s), or based on the types of services and applications that can be used over a broadband network (i .e., functionality). Due to each country's unique needs and history, including economic, geographic and regulatory factors, definitions of broadband vary widely. (World Bank 2012) Definition of Broadband for Southern African Development Community (SADC): In SADC broadband is defined as an always available, multimedia capable interactive network connection with characteristics, as determined by Ministerial Policy and published in Regulations by the Authority from time to time (National Broadband Policy 2013) This research uses as a working definition of broadband as the provision of telecommunications infrastructure that enables information traffic in a continuous and uninterrupted manner, with sufficient capacity to provide access to data, voice and video applications that are common or socially relevant to users as determined by the SADC from time to time (WB 2012) Broadband Growth and Penetration (BGP) Framework: The BGP Framework comprises overarching principles, procedures and guidelines used for promoting broadband growth and penetration. The purpose of the BGP framework is to articulate principles that underpin all viii activities relating to promoting broadband growth and penetration giving room for a constant review of these activities. (Adapted from University College Dublin 2014) Policy: A principle or protocol to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. It is a statement of intent, and is implemented as a procedure or protocol (Wikipedia c.2014) Broadband Growth: The
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