Vodacom coughs up million rand investment to roll-out 5G in Free State

Vodacom is investing R340-million in network modernisation in the Free State and Nothern Cape provinces to drive digital economy and expand 5G network in these provinces.

The mobile operator has committed to divest its services in this fiscal year, as a result of rising data demands in the province, which require network excellence to allow communities to embrace the digital economy.

“This financial year, we want to build on this achievement by extending broadband coverage and investing in network upgrades to increase access to connectivity,” CEO of Vodacom’s Central Region, Evah Mthimunye, said.

According to Vodacom, it would increase the number of 5G sites in these provinces three-fold over the coming months to expand broadband coverage in urban and deep rural areas.

Mthimunye said Vodacom had already completed LTE capacity expansions at 760 sites.

“Vodacom Central Region also plans to triple its 5G footprint in the Northern Cape and Free State by increasing the number of 5G sites to 58,” added Mthimunye.

By upgrading the power at its base station sites, Vodacom said it would invest R100 million of this fiscal year’s capital expenditures to address network issues, manage network capacity, and prevent vandalism.