CAPE TOWN - Vodacom announced good news for their users by extending coverage of their 4G network. The service provider has become the first mobile network on the African continent to exceed 80 percent population coverage.
According to the group, current local 4G coverage is at 80.12%, while 99.78% of the population is covered by 3G, and 99.97% covered by 2G.
This is due to its ‘accelerated rural coverage programme’, which was introduced in June 2017.
Additionally, the group has invested R39.7 billion in its network in South Africa over the past five years.
Some of the rural areas which now have access to 4G coverage include Sterkfontein in Limpopo, Brandfort in the Free State and Sundays River Valley in the Eastern Cape, among others, Vodacom said in a statement.
“Ulundi in KwaZulu Natal now enjoys the same 4G signal as Vodacom subscribers who live in the heart of Johannesburg,” it said.
“Our aim is to expand our network coverage to all parts of the country, including remote rural areas. Access to new, sub 1GHz spectrum will enable the more cost-effective rollout of 4G, which will help Vodacom increase broadband coverage to more South Africans,” said Vodacom CTO, Andries Delport.
Recently, in more efforts to give back to the community, Vodacom Business, in partnership with technology and training company, Silulo Ulutho Technologies launched a business incubation centre in Mitchells Plain earlier this month.
This partnership aims to digitally empower SMME’s in the local community. In the current digital era, technology is evolving at a rapid rate and the incubation centre aims to equip entrepreneurs with the necessary skill set.