Vodacom with Govt. of Lesotho Inaugurates New Cell Tower to Enhance Connectivity in Underserved Areas

A new state-of-the-art cell tower, funded by the Government of Lesotho’s Universal Service Fund (USF) through the African Development Bank (ADB) and operated by Vodacom Lesotho was inaugurated at Ha Tšepe in Leribe on Friday this week. The inauguration was part of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day’s celebration.

The Ha Tšepe cell tower is another milestone in the government and Vodacom Lesotho’s continuous mission to deliver connectivity to underserved communities, bridging the digital divide and equipping every Mosotho with the tools necessary to thrive in today’s interconnected society.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon Nthati Moorosi urged the community to safeguard the cell tower from acts of vandalism. She said the cell tower will be helpful in combating crime by enabling citizens to report criminal activities to law enforcement agencies promptly. The Minister thanked Vodacom Lesotho for the successful completion of the tower, highlighting that initiatives like this have significantly expanded nationwide network coverage to over 90%.

On behalf of Vodacom Lesotho, Tšepo Ntaopane, the Executive Head of External Affairs and Regulatory, said that besides facilitating phone calls, the newly erected tower offered a wide range of benefits for the local community. These included the ability to conduct M-Pesa transactions, receive old-age pension payments, and sell Mocha-o-Chele, all from the comfort of their homes. He urged the residents to protect the cell tower, emphasizing that vandalism would not only incur repair costs but also hinder efforts to construct similar towers in other communities that are in urgent need.

The cell tower is set to boost the connectivity at Ha Matoli, Thaba Phatšoa, Ha Tobolela, Ha Tsae, Ha Tente, Ha Mosuoane, Ha Mokhachane, Lipetu, Likileng and Ha Tšepe, offering upgraded network coverage and signal stability for users.

It is outfitted with cutting-edge technology and has a robust capability to manage both voice and data communications. Powered by solar energy, this tower is built to endure extreme weather conditions, guaranteeing dependable service for users.