MyBroadband

MyBroadband is a South African technology media and online community brand focused on telecommunications, internet access, information technology, and related consumer and business issues. It began in 2003 as a consumer advocacy forum created to give South Africans a place to exchange information about broadband services at a time when online social networks were not yet widely available. Its early discussions concentrated on ADSL connectivity, service quality, pricing, and the state of the South African broadband market, which was then heavily shaped by Telkom’s position as the dominant fixed-line operator. The forum developed into a broader technology publication and community. MyBroadband now publishes reporting and analysis on telecommunications operators, broadband, fibre, mobile networks, smartphones, software, cloud computing, cybersecurity, e-commerce, fintech, broadcasting, gaming, hardware, satellite connectivity, the Internet of Things, and blockchain and cryptocurrency. Its editorial and research activities are aimed at both technology professionals and technically engaged consumers. The company also conducts market-oriented research and publishes comparative network and connectivity information, making the brand a visible source of industry data in South Africa. A central service is the MyBroadband Speed Test, which measures internet-performance indicators such as connection speed and latency. The service was initially introduced for web browsers in 2011, later moved from Flash to HTML5 in 2017, and was followed by Android and iOS applications. MyBroadband aggregates test results into periodic reports covering the performance of South African telecommunications providers. These reports have been used by network operators, including MTN and Vodacom, in support of network-quality claims and advertising. The brand has expanded beyond digital publishing through events and professional communications. Its MyBroadband Conference and Expo is a major South African telecommunications and IT industry event, while the Cloud Conference, launched in 2015, focuses on cloud technologies and related enterprise applications. MyBroadband also presents awards at its conference using results from consumer surveys conducted during the year. In January 2017, it launched MyBroadband Magazine, an annual publication aimed primarily at ICT executives, professionals, and people working in the technology sector. The magazine is distributed through the conference and directly to ICT decision-makers. The MyBroadband Forum remains an important part of the brand. According to the referenced description, it has more than 200,000 members and over 10 million posts, making it one of South Africa’s largest online technology communities. Independent moderators manage discussions under forum rules, including restrictions on hate speech. The moderation approach has also generated criticism from some users who objected to post removals or account bans. In January 2017, MyBroadband created a dedicated Afrihost support forum in which Afrihost representatives received moderation rights; some members viewed this as preferential treatment because Afrihost was a significant advertiser. These disputes illustrate the tension between community independence, commercial sponsorship, and platform governance. MyBroadband is owned by Broad Media and serves primarily the South African market. Its positioning combines technology journalism, consumer advocacy, independent-seeming market measurement, professional events, and a large user forum. The brand’s principal influence comes from connecting everyday broadband and mobile users with telecommunications companies, technology suppliers, business decision-makers, and the wider South African ICT industry.

MyBroadband was established in 2003 in response to shortcomings and uncertainty in South Africa’s broadband market. Its initial form was an online forum rather than a conventional news publication. The forum gave consumers a place to compare ADSL services, exchange technical information, discuss outages and service quality, and debate the policies and practices shaping internet access. This role was particularly important because South Africa’s broadband market was then dominated by fixed-line ADSL and Telkom, while the social-media platforms that later became common channels for public discussion were not yet available. The community gradually became a substantial source of user-generated information. The forum’s growth allowed consumers to share practical advice while also making MyBroadband a monitoring point for developments in the telecommunications sector. Over time, the brand broadened its editorial remit from broadband-specific advocacy to comprehensive coverage of South African information and communications technology. Its publication began reporting on fixed and mobile connectivity, fibre, satellite services, cloud computing, hardware, software, smartphones, cybersecurity, e-commerce, financial technology, broadcasting, gaming, the Internet of Things, and blockchain-related subjects. MyBroadband also developed original research and measurement services. In 2011 it introduced an internet speed test for web browsers. The service measured connection performance, including data rate and latency, and eventually supported testing through servers in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. In March 2017 the platform was upgraded from Flash to HTML5, improving access on newer devices and browsers. Android and iOS applications followed in June 2017. Results collected through the service were used to produce recurring reports comparing the performance of South African network providers. Because these measurements were publicly visible and commercially relevant, the service became an influential reference point in the local technology sector and was cited by operators such as MTN and Vodacom in network-related marketing claims. The company expanded its professional and business-facing activities through events. The MyBroadband Conference and Expo became a flagship gathering for South Africa’s telecommunications and IT industries, attracting thousands of delegates according to the referenced material. In 2015, MyBroadband added the Cloud Conference, reflecting the growing importance of cloud infrastructure and services. The annual conference also became the setting for MyBroadband Awards, with winners selected from consumer surveys conducted during the year across multiple categories. In January 2017, the brand introduced MyBroadband Magazine. The annual publication was designed for ICT executives, technology professionals, and other industry participants. Its subject range mirrors the broader publication, covering broadband, fibre, mobile and cellular services, satellite connectivity, telecommunications, enterprise ICT, smartphones, software, cloud services, e-commerce, the Internet of Things, banking and fintech, security, gaming, hardware, broadcasting, and blockchain or cryptocurrency. Distribution is linked to the MyBroadband Conference and includes direct circulation to ICT executives. Forum governance has remained a visible aspect of the brand’s history. Independent moderators are used to enforce community rules and prevent prohibited content such as hate speech. At the same time, some forum members have criticized moderation decisions, including the removal of posts and user bans. In January 2017, MyBroadband created a dedicated Afrihost support area where Afrihost representatives were granted moderation rights. Critics within the community argued that the arrangement compromised neutrality or gave special treatment to an important sponsor. The episode reflects the broader challenge faced by commercially supported online communities: maintaining trust in editorial and moderation processes while working with advertisers and industry participants. MyBroadband is owned by Broad Media. It remains primarily focused on South Africa and combines several functions: a technology news site, a large discussion forum, a research and testing platform, an annual magazine, industry conferences, and consumer-based awards. Its development from a broadband discussion board into a major South African ICT publication reflects the expansion and increasing complexity of the country’s technology market.

1. 2017Speed test moves to HTML5

   The speed-testing platform is modernized from Flash to HTML5 to support a wider range of devices and browsers.

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2. 2017Mobile speed-test apps are released

   MyBroadband launches Android and iOS applications for its speed-testing service.

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3. 2017MyBroadband Magazine launches

   The brand adds an annual premium magazine aimed at ICT executives and technology professionals.

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4. 2017Afrihost support forum is created

   A dedicated Afrihost support area is established with moderation rights for Afrihost representatives, prompting criticism from some forum members.

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5. 2015Cloud Conference is introduced

   The company expands its events portfolio with a conference focused on cloud technology.

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6. 2011Browser-based speed test launches

   MyBroadband introduces an online tool for measuring internet connection speed and latency.

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7. 2003MyBroadband begins as a consumer broadband forum

   The platform is launched to help South African consumers discuss ADSL, service quality, and broader broadband problems in a market dominated by Telkom’s fixed-line network.

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A South African technology information and community platform combining ICT journalism, broadband research, consumer advocacy, performance measurement, professional events, and online discussion.

• MyBroadband ForumOnline technology community2003

  The forum is the brand’s original and continuing community platform. It supports discussion of broadband, mobile networks, devices, software, troubleshooting, service providers, and wider technology issues. The referenced material describes a community of more than 200,000 members and over 10 million posts. Independent moderators manage discussions under forum rules, while the platform also hosts competitions and provider-support areas.

• MyBroadband ICT NewsDigital technology publication

  MyBroadband’s editorial publication covers South African telecommunications and information technology. Its reporting combines breaking news with explanatory coverage and market analysis across broadband, fibre, mobile, cloud, cybersecurity, smartphones, software, fintech, e-commerce, hardware, broadcasting, gaming, and other technology subjects.

• MyBroadband Speed TestInternet performance measurement2011

  The speed-test service provides users with measurements of internet performance, including connection data rate and latency. It operates through web and mobile interfaces and uses test servers in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Aggregated results are used in recurring reports comparing South African telecommunications providers.

• MyBroadband MagazineTechnology magazine2017

  Launched as an annual publication, the magazine targets ICT executives, technology professionals, and industry participants. It covers connectivity, telecommunications, enterprise ICT, cloud, mobile devices, software, security, fintech, e-commerce, gaming, broadcasting, and emerging technologies. It is distributed through the MyBroadband Conference and directly to ICT decision-makers.

• MyBroadband Conference and ExpoTechnology industry event

  The conference and exhibition is a flagship event for South Africa’s telecommunications and IT sectors. It brings together technology companies, operators, professionals, executives, and consumers, and also serves as the venue for the annual MyBroadband Awards.

• Cloud ConferenceCloud technology event2015

  The Cloud Conference is an annual event focused on cloud computing and related enterprise technologies. It extends MyBroadband’s role from online publishing into professional industry events and business-to-business technology communication.

• 2017Launch of the MyBroadband MagazineProduct launch

  MyBroadband sought to extend its digital technology-publishing brand into a premium print-style publication for ICT executives and professionals.

  What changed. The company introduced an annual magazine distributed at the MyBroadband Conference and Expo and circulated directly to thousands of ICT executives.

  Aftermath. The magazine broadened MyBroadband’s professional communications and event-related offering, although the available reference material does not provide circulation or financial results.

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• 2017Migration of the speed test from Flash to HTML5Generation change

  The original browser-based speed test relied on Flash, a technology with declining device and browser support.

  What changed. MyBroadband rebuilt the web speed test using HTML5 and subsequently released Android and iOS applications.

  Aftermath. The service became accessible on a broader range of modern devices and continued to support MyBroadband’s network-performance reporting.

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• 2017Creation of a dedicated Afrihost support forumStrategy

  MyBroadband hosted a large community while also accepting advertising and commercial support from technology and telecommunications companies.

  What changed. The company created a special Afrihost support forum and allowed Afrihost representatives to exercise moderation rights in that area.

  Aftermath. Some forum members criticized the arrangement as preferential treatment for a major sponsor, raising questions about the relationship between commercial partnerships and community neutrality.

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• 2017MyBroadband upgrades its speed test to HTML5

  The speed-test platform was converted from Flash to HTML5, broadening compatibility across modern devices and browsers.

  Product generation
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• 2017MyBroadband releases mobile speed-test applications

  Applications for Android and iOS extended the MyBroadband speed-testing service beyond desktop web browsers.

  Product launch
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• 2017MyBroadband launches an annual technology magazine

  The MyBroadband Magazine was introduced as a premium annual publication for ICT executives, professionals, and other technology-sector readers.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2017MyBroadband creates a dedicated Afrihost support forum

  A special support forum was established for Afrihost, with company representatives receiving moderation rights. Some community members criticized the arrangement as preferential treatment for a major sponsor.

  Other
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• 2015MyBroadband launches the Cloud Conference

  MyBroadband expanded its events portfolio with an annual conference focused on cloud computing and associated enterprise technology.

  Product launch
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• 2011MyBroadband introduces an internet speed-test service

  The brand launched a browser-based service for measuring internet performance, including connection speed and latency, and later used aggregated results in provider-performance reports.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2003MyBroadband launches its first online forum

  MyBroadband began as a forum where South African consumers could discuss broadband access, ADSL services, and problems in the local telecommunications market.

  Product launch
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1. MyBroadband