Vodacom Mpumalanga is spending R620-million on its network this financial year, focused on expanding network infrastructure, driving access to connectivity, particularly in deep rural communities and township areas.
Combined with a R400-million investment in the 2024–2025 financial year, the company has committed over R1-billion to the region over two years.
In a province where terrain and remoteness often hinder connectivity, Vodacom Mpumalanga is accelerating its rollout of 4G and 5G sites, leveraging licensed spectrum such as L700, L1800, and L2100, to increase coverage and capacity in underserved areas.
There are over 1 300 mobile infrastructure sites now serving the province, with 41% connected to high-speed fibre, providing faster and more stable internet to households, schools, businesses, and government facilities.
The region’s network investments also include mobile network boosters, modernised transmission technology, and backup power systems to mitigate challenges related to Eskom grid instability and vandalism and theft.
“Data traffic in Mpumalanga has increased by over 42% year-on-year, with 90% of this carried over 4G,” says Monde Ngcukana, managing executive for Vodacom Mpumalanga region. “As demand grows, Vodacom’s network investment is not only improving connectivity for its customers in the region but laying the groundwork for a more inclusive digital economy.
“By increasing coverage and capacity, we can ensure that all our customers can be empowered by technology, whether that is access to education and essential services, or helping the growth of enterprises, from SMEs to the public sector, through transformative digital solutions.”
To complement the infrastructure build-out, Vodacom is tackling the affordability of devices and data, which are barriers to meaningful digital participation. Vodacom’s Easy2Own is driving smartphone penetration by offering customers an innovative device financing model to purchase a smartphone and, after a once-off deposit, pay it off in affordable instalments.