FoFI Campaign

The purpose of the Stop Thief! campaign is to ensure that the government and network companies stick to the promises they made two years ago. We want to make sure they don't forget what they said they would do. To achieve this, we are educating people about these promises and asking communities to stand with us. One of our largest actions was gathering outside the ICASA office in Centurion on May 17, 2024, to show that we are serious about holding them accountable and want to see real action taken to keep these promises. Our campaign continues to engage all stakeholders to ensure free internet in South Africa.

We are dedicated to making sure the government keeps its promises, which include:

• Providing 10GB of free data to households every month
• Ensuring that 97% of South Africa has internet access
• Installing high-speed internet in schools and clinics
• Granting free access (zero-rated) to non-profit websites

Friends of a Free Internet is pushing for accountability because we have a vision of a community-built Internet that is collectively managed and accessed by all South Africans. The first step is opening up internet use for all. The concept of a free internet is crucial as it creates job opportunities, improves access to education, and fosters democratic participation and information sharing. These aspects are essential for building a fair and informed society where everyone has equal opportunities and rights.

The ICASA 2022 spectrum auction imposes coverage and connectivity obligations to mobile network companies. These obligations require companies to expand their network coverage to a certain percentage of the population within 5 years. Network operators of certain levels must cover at least 97% of the population; these requirements aim to improve internet and communication access, particularly in underserved areas across the country.

Zero-rating means that certain websites or online services don't count against users' mobile data limits. This is crucial because:

• It makes essential information and services accessible to people who can't afford data
• Non-profit websites providing education, health information, and community services become freely available
• It helps bridge the digital divide while we work toward completely free internet access
• ICASA regulations now require networks to zero-rate public benefit organisation content

We're fighting to ensure these zero-rating provisions are implemented fairly and benefit the communities that need them most.

The government promised 10GB of free data monthly to households, but implementation has been slow and inconsistent. Here's the current situation:

• The promise was made to help bridge the digital divide during and after the pandemic
• Implementation has been patchy, with many communities still waiting
• We're monitoring rollout and holding authorities accountable
• Our campaign demands transparent timelines and equal access for all communities

This free data is essential for access to education, healthcare information, job opportunities, and government services.

When you join our campaign as a Friend here and join our WhatsApp channel you will be informed on ways to get involved. By working together and cooperating, we can make important changes and build a fairer and more equal society.

You can sign up as a Friend on our website, share our resources and updates, participate in our campaigns and events, advocate for digital rights in your community, and connect with us on social media.

As a Friend of a Free Internet, there are several meaningful ways you can contribute:

• Spread awareness: Share our campaign materials and updates with your networks
• Participate in actions: Join our protests, sign petitions, and attend community meetings
• Engage decision-makers: Contact your local representatives about digital rights issues
• Organise locally: Start conversations about internet access in your community
• Share expertise: Contribute your skills in technology, organising, or communications
• Document issues: Report internet access problems in your area to help build our case