Vodacom has earmarked R600m to expand its network in Mpumalanga in the 2026 financial year, with a focus on technical upgrades and rural connectivity.
The investment, which follows the R620m Vodacom spent in the province in the previous financial year, will focus on “expanding network coverage, enhancing connectivity, improving network resilience and capacity, and extending access to digital services in underserved rural, township and urban areas of the province”.
Vodacom said the rollout would target all 17 local municipalities across Mpumalanga, spanning the Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and Nkangala districts.
South Africa’s largest mobile operator invests billions of rand locally each year, usually to build, upgrade and maintain its network infrastructure.
In the year to end-March, Vodacom spent R11.87bn on its network in South Africa, and this is expected to reach R12bn in the year to March 2027.
“Reliable connectivity is a key enabler of economic growth, education, innovation and social development,” said Monde Ngcukana, managing executive for Vodacom’s Mpumalanga region.
“Through our continued investment in Mpumalanga’s network infrastructure, we are ensuring that more communities can access the opportunities offered by the digital economy while benefiting from a world-class connectivity experience.”
Vodacom said it had expanded its infrastructure from just over 1,300 sites to 1,408 sites across Mpumalanga. It is also pushing the rollout of 4G and 5G services, particularly in underserved and remote communities.
The company has focused its investment on network enhancement solutions, transmission upgrades and backup power infrastructure. These measures are helping to mitigate the effects of localised power disruptions, vandalism and theft, which continue to pose challenges to telecom infrastructure across South Africa.
Rival MTN has announced a number of similar investments this year, including R281m for Mpumalanga, R332m for Limpopo and R480m to boost connectivity in the Free State and the Northern Cape.
Business Day
Mudiwa Gavaza
www.businessday.co.za
