Vodacom expands 5G coverage to over 60% of South Africa 

Vodacom Group, South Africa’s largest mobile network operator, has expanded its 5G network to reach more than 60% of the country’s population, marking a significant step in the rollout of next-generation mobile connectivity. 

Vodacom spokesperson Byron Kennedy said the milestone reflects rising demand for faster and more reliable data services across the country. 

“5G-capable devices have more than doubled on our network over the last twelve months,” Kennedy said, noting that the company now supports the network with more than 4,000 5G sites nationwide. 

Vodacom was the first operator in South Africa to launch commercial 5G services, switching on its first towers in May 2020. By the end of 2023, the network covered about 30% of the population. That footprint has doubled in just two years as the operator stepped up investment in infrastructure.

Expansion targets remote communities 

Looking ahead to 2026, Kennedy said Vodacom will continue expanding both its 4G and 5G networks, with a particular focus on underserved areas. 

“Our goal is to broaden coverage so more customers can benefit from reliable connectivity,” he said. “That includes extending services to rural and remote communities where access has historically been limited.” 

Vodacom said expanding network access remains central to its efforts to support a more inclusive digital economy in South Africa. 

The company’s 5G performance has also ranked among the strongest in the country. Tests Insights frequently place Vodacom among the fastest networks. 

In June 2025, Vodacom’s 5G network recorded an average download speed of 260 Mbps, compared with about 195 Mbps on rival networks. 

The operator has also introduced new technologies to strengthen capacity and speeds. In August 2025, Vodacom became the first operator in Africa to deploy dual-band massive MIMO radio technology on its network. 

The system combines two spectrum bands — n78 (3.5 GHz) and B41 (2.6 GHz) — in a single unit, helping boost download speeds and improve bandwidth efficiency.

MTN and Telkom outline their strategies 

Only two other operators currently offer 5G services in South Africa: MTN Group and Telkom SA. 

MTN launched its 5G network roughly a month after Vodacom and initially expanded its footprint faster. In its most recent update, the company said it operates about 4,000 5G sites in South Africa and aims to reach 60% population coverage by the end of 2025. 

Telkom has taken a different approach, saying its rollout is driven by demand rather than broad coverage targets. 

“Our priority has been to ensure that where 5G is deployed, it delivers a high-quality and reliable experience for customers and enterprise users,” the company said. 

Telkom added that its investment strategy focuses on areas where 5G can make a clear difference for consumers and businesses. At the same time, the company said it remains focused on expanding access in underserved communities. 

“South Africa benefits from a strong 4G foundation that continues to meet the needs of most consumers,” Telkom said. 

Vodacom expands across Africa 

Vodacom serves more than 220 million customers across Africa and operates in markets including Tanzania, Mozambique, Lesotho and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The group has also expanded into Ethiopia and Egypt as part of a broader regional growth strategy. 

In December 2025, Vodacom agreed to increase its stake in Kenya’s leading telecom operator, Safaricom, to 55%. The deal, valued at about $2.1 billion to $2.4 billion, involved purchasing shares from the Kenyan government and parent company Vodafone Group. 

The group has also been strengthening its fixed-line infrastructure. In November, regulators approved Vodacom’s acquisition of a strategic stake in South African fibre company Maziv, a move expected to support wider broadband expansion. 

For the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2025, Vodacom reported group revenue of R43.9 billion ($2.65 billion), up 11% from a year earlier. Service revenue rose 12.7%, while financial services revenue increased 24.7% to R4.5 billion ($271.83 million). Mobile money platforms across the group, including Safaricom’s services, processed transactions worth about $500.7 billion over the past year. 

Chief Executive Shameel Joosub, who has led Vodacom since 2012, has overseen the company’s push to upgrade network infrastructure and expand digital and financial services across its African markets.