Vodacom is investing R300 million in the Limpopo network, which will extend broadband coverage to remote areas of the province that do not have access to Internet services.
“We are very excited about our network investment for the Limpopo region this financial year, as we aim to ensure that all our customers will benefit from a quality network experience, particularly in rural areas. Expanding access to connectivity forms part of our commitment to building an inclusive digital future while assisting with stimulating socio-economic growth in the province,” said Ridwaan Soomra, managing executive of Vodacom Limpopo.
Most of the CAPEX will go toward modernizing the existing radio network, building deep rural towers and improving transmission, including fiber rollout and backup power. The investment will also help to provide additional capacity to support the region’s data traffic growth, which rose by 17.4% year-on-year.
The region now has more than 1,557 network sites, of which 97% provide 3G and 92% provide 4G, which is a 10.8% increase in broadband coverage year-on-year. By the end of the 2023 financial year, Vodacom plans to double 5G coverage in Limpopo, where it launched 5G last year in Polokwane and Thohonyandou.
Vodacom Limpopo has strengthened security and upgraded backup power solutions across sites in the province to ensure customers remain connected during network challenges such as load-shedding and vandalism. A total of R100 million has been invested in overcoming power cuts, with the generator fleet increasing by 35%, generator repairs now spending 170% more than originally allocated and R8 million spent on fuel in the event of a power outage.
