The latest census figures released by Statistics SA shows the country has increased PC penetration from less than 10% to 21.4% in the past decade. This figure is expected to increase, despite muted global expectations.

The growth in computers at home is anticipated to spur SA’s connectivity, and related entertainment services, according to research firm Frost & Sullivan. Globally, PC shipments are expected to drop this year – the first annual drop since 2001.

IHS iSuppli Compute Platforms Service at information and analytics provider IHS recently noted the total PC market this year is expected to shrink 1.2%, to 348.7 million units, down from 352.8 million in 2011.

Chipo Ngongoni, ICT research analyst at Frost & Sullivan, says the number of household computers in SA had increased by more than 11% between 2001 and 2011.

“Frost & Sullivan expects this trend to continue and sets a clear case for connected homes. The PC penetration is likely to influence an increase in the uptake of consumer broadband, as well as related entertainment services,” says Ngongoni.

The 2011 census revealed that three million out of 14.45 million homes have a PC, compared with the 3.7 million who view television via satellite.

According to the results of the survey, only 35.2% of the 14.5 million households in the country have access to the Internet.