How South Africa’s Internet Difficulties Affect Small Businesses

A reliable internet connection matters to video editors uploading the latest versions of their animations. It matters to software developers collaborating over Confluence or Sharepoint. In fact, it matters to almost anyone running any business, anywhere in the world.

And yet, for South African entrepreneurs, a good internet connection can often be very hard to come by.

If you’re among them, the feeling of mounting frustration as the connection cuts out in the middle of an important task will be all too familiar. But it’s not just an annoyance: it can have a dramatic effect on the stability, productivity, and growth of your business.

Recent research by Xero and World Wide Worx reveals that 41% of businesses struggle with connectivity in the workplace – 66% endure severe issues for one to three days every month, and 29% endure severe issues for between five and ten days every month.

It’s clear that connectivity issues plague many businesses. But what can be done about it?

New president, old problem
Our new government is aware of this problem and this is positive. During February’s State of the Nation Address, the president promised to create a Digital Industrial Revolution Commission to tackle issues surrounding the ‘availability of efficient networks’. This should include key improvements and upgrades to IT infrastructure across the country, and particularly in underserved regions. Small businesses contribute a great deal to national GDP. When they perform better, the whole nation does too.

Whatever public sector initiatives occur, it will take some time before they become reality. In the meantime, private non-profits such as Project Isizwe may pave the way forward. Founded by Alan Knott-Craig Junior, it intends to roll out South Africa’s largest free WiFi network – opening up internet access all over the country. In fact, it’s already available in many municipal buildings.

Hooking up your business
Knott-Craig believes that WiFi should be considered a utility. For many businesses, it already is. And this only makes the limitations on its availability worse. If you’re running a start-up, there is one easy way to take the problem into your own hands the next time your connection cuts out.

Some 73% of small business owners use laptops. If you’re among them, you have a degree of mobility that you may not be taking full advantage of. You don’t have to be tied to your desk: libraries and coffee shops often have free Wi-Fi available, and they also tend to be great working environments – the combination of caffeine and quiet has proven to be very good for focus and productivity.

Some cities offer unique locations to do work from. The City Library in Johannesburg recently announced extended opening hours – meaning that you can get more work done beyond standard office hours. Meanwhile, over in Cape Town, the Table Mountain Cableway has its own Wi-Fi lounge. It’s never been easier to take your business to great heights.

In 2018, there are always ways to stay connected. In the coming months and years, we will continue to move towards a world in which the issue of erratic internet is resolved. But in the absence of a reliable office hookup, it’s vital that you avail yourself of them.

By Colin Timmis, Head of Accounting, South Africa, Xero