What you need to know about the new direct marketing guidance note
Nadine Mather and Chloë Loubser
Vodacom dominates 4G coverage in South Africa
Despite the ongoing spectrum constraints, Vodacom now provides 80.12% 4G coverage in South Africa, with 99.78% of the population covered by 3G and 99.97% covered by 2G.
© Michael Simons via 123RF
4G (fourth generation) connectivity has intrinsic advantages over 3G and 2G, providing users with faster and more reliable internet access for devices and laptops. 4G offers numerous benefits for South African SMEs, with speeds that are up to three times faster than 3G and reduced network latency.
According to the mobile operator, its accelerated rural coverage programme has been a significant contributor to providing South Africans with the widest coverage.
Some of the rural areas which now have access to 4G coverage, to name a few, include Sterkfontein in Limpopo, Brandfort in the Free State and Sundays River Valley in the Eastern Cape. Ulundi in KwaZulu Natal now enjoys the same 4G signal as Vodacom subscribers who live in the heart of Johannesburg.
Vodacom Chief Technology Officer Andries Delport says: “Our aim is to expand our network coverage to all parts of the country, including remote rural areas. Access to new, sub 1GHz spectrum will enable the more cost-effective rollout of 4G, which will help us increase broadband coverage to more South Africans.”
