Vodacom KZN invests over R1 billion to improve network connectivity

 

By Fred Felton | Nov. 2, 2023

Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal is investing over R1 billion in this financial year to help with the regional network to increase capacity and resilience and speed up access to connectivity throughout KZN, especially in the rural parts of the province.

Imran Khan, Managing Executive, Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal. | Photo: Vodacom

‘’In pursuing our aim of creating an inclusive digital society, we are making a significant investment into the region’s network. By expanding access to reliable, quality connectivity through our deployment of more sites and network upgrades, we aim to provide an exceptional network experience to our customers. With this effort, we hope to bring the benefits of digitalisation to all communities we serve,’’ said Imran Khan, Managing Executive, Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal.

With the R1 billion investment, R700 million will be going towards projects for radio access network, network capacity and upgrades, with R173 million going towards improving core network infrastructure. The region is planning to modernise 429 base station sites and expand LTE capacity to 774 sites in the current financial year.

‘’Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal’s 4G population coverage is standing at 95.8%. We are rolling out 23 new urban sites and 129 deep rural sites across the region this financial year to expand this reach and drive digital inclusion, especially in underserved areas of the province. In addition, we now have circa 200 sites on 5G, with plans to switch on another 122 within this financial year,’’ said Khan.

Loadshedding continues to be a problem for the network in this region. As a result Vodacom is investing R235 million into energy projects, including the procurement of 68 generators to add to an existing fleet of over 196 and increasing base station site power standby time to a minimum of four hours. These upgrades will improve network capacity and availability, especially during stage 4-6 loadshedding.

Data traffic in the region has grown by 40% in the province over the past year. This is mostly due to Vodacom introducing personalised discounted voice and data offers such as Just4You, Just4You Town bundles for residents in certain towns and bigger prepaid data bundles with Prepaid LTE to make connections more affordable.

Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal is also fully behind inclusion for all. With their initiative, Code Like a Girl, they are providing coding skills to help young women get a start in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The region recently hosted an instalment of the programme, which trains girls between 14 and 18 years old in coding and other IT skills in October this year.