MTN South Africa has announced a R220-million investment to enhance network quality, expand connectivity, and upgrade infrastructure in the Eastern Cape.
The investment includes the rollout of new base stations, as well as operational enhancements, site modernisations and capacity upgrades on more than 250 existing sites.
“The R220 million investment, part of the national rollout to enhance the company’s digital capabilities, will lead to improvements in battery, site security, and energy facilities, including the availability of generators,” says Songezo Masiso, GM of MTN in the Eastern Cape.
These investments will support MTN in the Eastern Cape by enhancing the quality, resilience, and performance of its network. The outcome will be improved coverage and increased network capacity, aimed at ensuring that more people, businesses, and communities across the province have access to reliable, high-speed digital services, regardless of whether they reside in urban or rural areas.
“MTN’s 4G coverage in the province sits at 98% while 5G is at 48% – our ambition is to improve coverage particularly in rural parts of the province. Villages and townships such as Libode, Lusikisiki, Qumbu and Duncan will witness the improved network quality before the year ends,” adds Masiso.
The province recently experienced severe weather conditions that left many communities particularly in the Mthatha area displaced and grieving the loss of loved ones. These conditions also caused significant damage to our network infrastructure. As a result, our immediate priority has been to restore services in the affected areas to ensure our communities remain connected and continue to benefit from the digital world.
“The enhancements to our network and increased accessibility to digital services are crucial aspects of our Ambition 2025 strategy, which focuses on creating the largest and most valuable platforms to drive sustainable growth.
“Our investment in the network infrastructure of the Eastern Cape is a crucial facilitator in connecting the unconnected and fostering a more inclusive digital landscape across South Africa,” concludes Masiso.