Vodacom Western Cape is investing more than R500-million in network infrastructure across the province in the current financial year.

The capital expenditure (capex) budget spans network expansion, modernisation and upgrades, energy resilience projects and the deployment of new sites, including in deep rural communities and township areas.

The bulk of the capex, about R380-million, will be allocated to radio access network (RAN) modernisation, and more than 50 sites will be upgraded or replaced with next-generation cellular infrastructure, including enhanced hardware, software and network architecture.

The upgrades will support advanced 5G capabilities, improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs, while significantly increasing network capacity and ensuring customers enjoy reliable connectivity, superior call quality and faster data speeds.

More than 50 sites will receive 4G capacity upgrades using the low-band 700 MHz spectrum, which travels over longer distances and penetrates buildings more effectively, enabling broader coverage and enhanced network capacity across both urban and underserved communities.

The deployment of new 5G sites will be accelerated in key towns across the Western Cape, including Khayelitsha, Delft, Gugulethu, Langa, Mitchells Plain and Philippi, which will help expand connectivity and improve network access in areas where demand for reliable digital services continue to grow.

The remaining investment will be directed towards energy resilience projects aimed at maintaining connectivity during temporary power disruptions caused by localised load reduction, cable theft, municipal infrastructure failures and maintenance activities.

The investments also include the deployment of additional static generators and battery modernisation programmes, building on the extensive backup power upgrades and optimisation initiatives undertaken during the previous financial year.

“Our ongoing investment in infrastructure upgrades is enabling more customers to unlock the transformative power of technology and participate meaningfully in the digital economy,” says Vodacom Western Cape managing executive Waldi Wepener.

“Through improved connectivity, communities gain greater access to digital platforms for education, healthcare and financial services, helping to drive socioeconomic inclusion, empower individuals and create sustainable opportunities for growth across the region.”

According to Wepener, ensuring digital access remains affordable for all is central to Vodacom Western Cape’s strategy, with the company working to break down affordability barriers through innovative programmes designed to meet customers where they are.

“Through Just4You and Just4YourTown, customers receive personalised voice and data offers tailored to their individual use patterns and locations, helping them stay connected at a lower cost,” he explains, noting an increasing number of residents now accessing affordable and customised connectivity solutions.

With the platforms experiencing strong adoption across the province, data use in the Western Cape has grown by more than 40% over the past year.

Meanwhile, Vodacom’s Easy2Own device financing initiative enables more customers to access smartphones affordably, contributing to increased smartphone penetration across the province.

The programme, which was launched in 2023, also plays a critical role in enabling customers to migrate from legacy 2G and 3G devices to 4G- and 5G-enabled smartphones. 

Further, to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Vodacom, in collaboration with industry experts, launched a free online platform offering practical business advice and digital tools.

The platform, V-Hub, provides SMEs with trusted and actionable guidance on topics ranging from attracting and retaining customers to cybersecurity, financial management and digital transformation.