Vodacom has invested more than R500 million ($30.2 million) in network infrastructure across South Africa’s Western Cape during the current financial year, targeting network expansion, modernization, energy resilience and new sites in rural communities and townships as demand for reliable digital connectivity continues to rise.

The investment will accelerate the rollout of 5G sites in key towns across the province, bringing faster data speeds, lower latency and greater capacity for mobile and home internet users. Vodacom also plans to extend coverage in communities where connectivity remains limited, supporting broader participation in the digital economy.

Network upgrades take priority

About R380 million ($23 million) of the capital expenditure will go toward radio access network modernization, with more than 50 sites upgraded or replaced with next-generation cellular infrastructure. The work will include new hardware, software and network architecture designed to strengthen capacity while improving the efficiency of the network.

The upgrades are expected to support advanced 5G services, improve energy efficiency and lower operating costs while delivering more reliable connectivity. Vodacom said customers should also benefit from better call quality, faster data speeds and increased network capacity as upgraded infrastructure comes online.

More 4G capacity planned

More than 50 additional sites will receive 4G capacity upgrades using the 700-megahertz spectrum. The low-band spectrum can travel longer distances and penetrate buildings more effectively, making it particularly useful for expanding coverage and capacity across densely populated urban areas and underserved communities.

Waldi Wepener, managing executive of Vodacom Western Cape, said the company remains focused on improving the quality, reliability and reach of its network. He said continued infrastructure investment would help more customers access technology and participate more fully in the digital economy.

Vodacom expands across Africa

Vodacom is a major African connectivity, digital and financial services company. Under the leadership of its chairman and Group CEO, Shameel Joosub, the group, including Safaricom, serves about 230 million customers across consumer and enterprise markets, giving the company a broad base across some of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.

From its South African roots, Vodacom has expanded into the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique and Tanzania. Its mobile networks now cover a combined population of about 596 million people, underscoring the scale of its infrastructure footprint across the continent.

Vodafone remains majority owner

Vodacom is majority-owned by Vodafone, which holds a 65.1% stake in the company. Vodafone is one of the world’s largest communications companies by revenue, giving Vodacom access to a global telecommunications group as it continues investing in network infrastructure and digital services across its African markets.