Vodacom has some big plans to invest R400 million to improve the Eastern Cape’s network infrastructure, and that’s just for 2025 alone. The network provider’s eventual goal is to usher the Eastern Cape into the present by investing in both the environment and the people. But mainly the network infrastructure.
Vodacom details the investment as follows: R38 million is dedicated to network modernisation to introduce both 4G and 5G to the province. More than R87 million will go towards network capacity expansion. Over R7 million goes towards core upgrades to network infrastructure. Finally, R51 million goes to improving transmission infrastructure. You know what else you can get for R51 million?
Vodacom keeps it 400
Additionally, Vodacom Eastern Cape will allocate close to R100 million to increase coverage to the most remote areas in the province, including municipalities such as Great Kei, Nyandeni, Mhlontlo, Mbizana, Matatiele, and many others.
The network provider also plans to add a 5G network (and other unspecified network upgrades) to multiple remote and underserved communities. “By expanding 4G and 5G coverage, particularly in remote and rural areas, we are driving our goal of building an inclusive digital society and ensuring that no individual nor business is left behind in the digital era,” says Zakhele Jiyane, Vodacom Eastern Cape’s managing executive.
Read More: Vodacom just completed South Africa’s first-ever 5G voice call
Vodacom is not forgetting the people that the technology is for. The company will design creative airtime and data plans through its ‘Just 4 You’ and ‘Just 4 Your Town’ sections of its data plans. The brand is also bringing its Easy2Own initiative, which grants customers smartphones through an affordable payment model that costs as little as R6.50 per day.
Furthermore, the company is collaborating with the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and other tech companies to give young people access to skill development and education. Companies like AWS, Microsoft, Skillsoft, and others will likely provide trainers and materials to upskill thousands of young people across Africa.
