© Law Journals 2024. All Rights Reserved 7 Journal of Human Rights Law and Practice http://lawjournals.celnet.in/index.php/jhrlp/index Review JHRLP ISSN: 2581-8155 Volume 7, Issue 1, 2024 DOI (Journal): 10.37591/JHRLP Human Rights and Access to Telecommunication Services in the Eastern Cape, South Africa Siyabulela Christopher Fobosi* Abstract This paper unpacks challenges with access to universal telecommunication services in the Eastern Cape from the human rights angle. The purpose of universal telecommunication is to provide access to telecommunications infrastructure to everyone, regardless of location, poverty, age, gender, or other discriminating factors. Developing nations still need to work on achieving genuinely universal access, despite significant attempts to bridge the digital divide. By establishing telecommunications infrastructure in a specific location, universal telecommunication access means enabling local residents to communicate with those living elsewhere in the world. The term "digital divide" is used to refer to issues with media and computer literacy as well as information inequality and knowledge gaps. In South Africa, a robust policy commitment to achieve universal access and service (UAS) accompanied the country's telecommunications reform. The majority of the population has historically been denied access to telecommunications services due to racial discrimination, so South Africa's 1994 democratic transition and its subsequent engagement with telecommunications reform occurred against a backdrop of growing interest in UAS as a central sector reform issue. However, 29 years since democracy, the digital divide continues such that most disadvantaged communities cannot access networks, making it difficult to make calls in the case emergency. The accessibility of information and communication technology (ICT), which has emerged as a crucial tool for achieving human rights, must be a top priority for all governments. ICT has the potential to significantly expand citizens' access to a range of resources, including information and services that are crucial for achieving human rights. The study comes to the conclusion that the government should act quickly to close the digital divide. Keywords: Access, eastern cape, huma rights, information and communication technology, science, and telecommunications INTRODUCTION In the modern digital era, access to telecommunications has become increasingly essential for individuals to exercise their fundamental human rights [1]. Telecommunications, encompassing various forms of communication technology and networks, play a vital role in facilitating the exchange of information, fostering freedom of expression, and promoting social, economic, and political development [2]. This paper explores the intersection of human rights and access to telecommunications, highlighting the significance of universal connectivity, digital divide challenges, and the implications for individual rights and global development. Despite the transformative potential of telecommunications, a significant digital divide persists, limiting access to technology and communication networks for many individuals [3]. Socioeconomic factors, geographical location, and infrastructural limitations contribute to disparities in access. Developing countries, rural areas, and marginalized communities often face significant barriers to accessing telecommunications, perpetuating inequality and hindering the *Author for Correspondence Siyabulela Christopher Fobosi E-mail: sfobosi@ufh.ac.za Senior Researcher, UNESCO ‘Oliver Tambo’ Chair of Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Fort Hare, South Africa Received Date: August 20, 2023 Accepted Date: September 30, 2023 Published Date: November 07, 2023 Citation: Siyabulela Christopher Fobosi. Human Rights and Access to Telecommunication Services in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Journal of Human Rights Law and Practice. 2024; 7(1): 7–11p.