A total of R340 million will be spent by Vodacom Central Region this financial year on expanding broadband coverage in deep rural areas, upgrading base station sites and improving network resilience. This investment will drive inclusive digital access across the region as part of the network’s commitment to ensuring connectivity for all.
In addition to adding new 3G, 4G and 5G-enabled sites in urban areas, seventeen deep rural sites will be added to further expand the region's population coverage, which is already at 98.25% for 3G and 92% for 4G. 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.
For the financial year, Vodacom Central Region will spend R100 million on power upgrades at base station sites in order to overcome network challenges and manage network capacity. This ensures that customers are able to stay connected during disruptions such as load-shedding and incidents of site vandalism and theft.
In its purpose-led goal to build a digital society, Vodacom Central Region is connecting young people to jobs through Get-a-Gig, which is available on the zero-rated Connect U platform. Get-a-Gig not only aims to address the high unemployment rate in the country but also encourages participation in the digital economy through online access to employment opportunities at no data cost.
Recognizing the importance of digital technology as a critical educational tool, Vodacom Central Region has implemented the Virtual Classroom Solution in three schools in the Northern Cape this year. Due to Vodacom Central Region's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, the future of the next generation is dependent on the planet's health. Over and above its waste collection initiatives in local communities in the Free State and Northern Cape, Vodacom has also introduced a solar project at its Bloemfontein mobile switching center as part of its efforts to mitigate climate change, all while rehabilitating beehives at the base station sites.
