- Ilitha Infrastructure (Pty) Ltd acts as a licensed network operator in South Africa.
- The South African broadband market is under pressure from infrastructure gaps, affordability issues and regulatory costs, while models like pay-as-you-go fibre are beginning to gain traction.
Ilitha Infrastructure Ltd: Role and network presence
Ilitha Infrastructure (Pty) Ltd is registered at 42 Bath Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg, Gauteng 2196. It is listed among licensed electronic communications network service (ECNS) providers.
The firm supports broadband infrastructure builds for underserved areas, especially townships and rural zones. Its parent or affiliated company, Ilitha Telecommunications (Pty) Ltd, has a stated mission of providing affordable, unlimited internet in such communities and has secured major investment to expand fibre rollout. Ilitha Infrastructure appears to be the infrastructure arm of this broader vision, managing network assets, IP space and licensing.
By owning its ASN, Ilitha Infrastructure can peer with internet exchanges, route traffic directly and maintain control over its service delivery and cost base. This gives it a structural position in the connectivity value chain rather than simply reselling others’ services.
Also read: 1-TO-ALL: Thailand telecom and solutions distributor
Also read: 1Asia Communication: Singapore telecom and data services
Industry context: Broadband access and empowerment in South Africa
South Africa’s broadband landscape still has many gaps. Urban centres are comparatively well-served, but township, peri-urban and rural areas often have slower speeds, higher costs or no access at all. Investment in fibre networks remains high, while affordability for low-income households stays a barrier.
To address this the industry is evolving. One trend is the deployment of pay-as-you-go, prepaid broadband models aimed at low-income users. Ilitha and its infrastructure arm are engaged in such models, with plans that offer connectivity from as low as R3 per day or R90 per month for unlimited access. Another trend is community-led infrastructure: network builds that partner with local entrepreneurs, youth and women to install and maintain access in their own areas. Ilitha’s business model mentions this strategy.
Because of its infrastructure control, Ilitha Infrastructure is well placed to serve these needs. It can manage network routing, plan IP allocation and support service partners in underserved areas. By focusing on communities that mainstream providers may overlook, it plays into a broader effort to reduce South Africa’s digital divide.
