Vodacom to invest R500m to expand connectivity in the Eastern Cape

Vodacom Eastern Cape region is spending R500 million this financial year on modernising the network, energy projects and accelerating broadband coverage across the region, particularly in townships and deep rural areas of the province. This investment forms part of the company’s commitment to drive digital inclusion in the communities in which it operates.

In 2023–2024 financial year, the region invested more than R500 million, and in 2042–2025, it is going to spend an additional R500 million, on extending broadband coverage throughout the province. This is an investment totalling over R1 billion over two years and it is part of Vodacom's long-term vision, to have the widest and most reliable network accessible to all South Africans, irrespective of where they live.

The bulk of the expenditure will go towards modernising the network infrastructure, followed by deploying new network sites, rolling out 5G network, and launching new LTE coverage, utilising the allotted spectrum from ICASA. This rollout will enable better connectivity and improved network speeds for the end user. The region plans to focus this investment on the three bays of the Eastern Cape footprint. This includes Lower Bay (Gqeberha to Makhanda and the Port Alfred area); Central Bay (sites along the N10 and surroundings); and Upper Bay (Qonce, Monti and up to the Kei Mouth area), bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas of the province.

Zakhele Jiyane, Managing Executive for Vodacom Eastern Cape Region commented: “Our approach is to first build on our infrastructure to ensure that we can unlock the many opportunities afforded by the latest technology, such as 5G, and deliver a quality network experience for all our customers. In some areas of the province, this investment will bring connectivity to communities for the first time, driving our ambition of empowering people in an inclusive digital society. One of the big focus areas for the region this financial year is to deploy more sites in deep rural areas of the Eastern Cape. Many individuals in South Africa's remote, deep rural areas lack internet access, which prevents them from taking advantage of the socioeconomic advantages of connectivity. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the effects of the digital divide to light in dramatic ways, as people without broadband have been unable to work from home, attend classes, or receive healthcare services. The deployment of the new base station sites in deep rural areas of the province will close the digital divide and enable hundreds of thousands of people in these villages to be part of the digital economy and reap associated socio-economic benefits.”

To mitigate the risks of increasing theft and vandalism at sites, as well as power disruptions on the national grid, Vodacom Eastern Cape is channelling tens of millions of rands into security upgrades and more millions will be invested in enhancing backup power supply at base station towers. These efforts will ensure network availability, to keep customers connected.

Acknowledging that the cost to communicate is a critical issue for customers under economic pressure, Vodacom Eastern Cape introduced personalised discounted voice and data offers, such as Just4You and Just4YourTown bundles, for residents in certain towns in the region to make connectivity more affordable. The offers start from as little as R5 for 150MB + 30 minutes with bigger prepaid Prepaid LTE data bundles including 1GB for R19, as well as Vodacom to Vodacom unlimited voice minutes for R29.

In its purpose-led goal to build inclusion for all, Vodacom continues to support educational initiatives that foster young people’s potential and contribute to socioeconomic development in the Eastern Cape. For example, the region has helped to decommission pit latrine toilets and hand over new ablution facilities at Ilitha LeThu Preschool in Lusikisiki. To encourage youth participation in the digital economy, Vodacom has rolled out Connected Farmer, a platform to empower small-scale agricultural producers, to 100 schools in the province, and provides free connectivity at the Love Life youth leadership centre in Uitenhage. The region also hosted the Code Like a Girl boot camp, which breaks down gender stereotypes and nurtures female talent in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, at schools in Gqeberha, Mdantsane, Komani and Libode, benefitting 150 girls.

Vodacom Eastern Cape is addressing critical environmental-related challenges in the region, from providing water tanks in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro for Day Zero to partnering with the provincial government to donate R2 million to assist with drought relief efforts. Additionally, the region donated essential care packs and other items to those affected by recent floods in Uitenhage/Kariega and Gqeberha.

“Through our strategic partnerships with government and organisations in the region, we want to make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. Our significant network investment and ongoing CSI initiatives are fulfilling our goal of connecting everyone to a better future,” concludes Jiyane.