OVERVIEW
The city of Cape Town decided to address the digital divide among its citizens through the SmartCape Access Project. The SmartCape Access Project is an initiative to provide access to computers and internet in national libraries. Citizens who register at a public library are eligible to use computers for 45 minutes a day and receive 500mb of free data per month to be used in any public space with Wi-Fi access. Non-registered users can log in with their own devices through Wi-Fi hotspots and receive 50MB of free data. The primary goals of SmartCape are to promote digital inclusion, increase computer literacy, provide internet access to as many citizens as possible, and supply a number of productivity applications such as LibreOffice suite.
FEATURES
SmartCape ICT digital access platform was developed using open source software as well as multiple internet connectivity options including ADSL, Fibre, 3G/LTE, and vSAT.
KEY RESULTS
- The SmartCape Access Project illustrates how careful planning and cost-effective measures can go a long way in the application of smart solutions.
- As of 2019, there are over 450 000 registered users who can get up to 45 minutes of free internet use per session per day, across 670 computers in 104 libraries.
- 581 Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed at 196 locations.
- The city continuously makes efforts to improve SmartCape services by doing site visits, surveying users, and collecting feedback forms from users.
RESOURCES
RELATED POSTS
| YEAR | Number of Appointments per year |
|---|---|
| 2011-2012 | 2.3 million |
| 2013 | 33.5 million |
| 2014 | 56.9 million |
| 2015 | 63 million |
| 2016 | 63.4 million |
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