The digital cities concept centres around local government`s provision of e-services to its citizens. In the South African context, where the telecommunications regime still favours the few at the expense of the many, the digital cities concept offers an opportunity to provide connectivity, content and services to citizens that cannot – and probably will never be able to – afford commercial service offerings.

Under consideration, and the cause of much debate at the moment, are the business models the cities will adopt, grey areas around the legality of municipalities rolling out their own broadband, and WiMax licences due from the regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).