Vodacom Invests R100 Million to Bridge Digital Divide in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Vodacom  will invest circa R100 million in building 106 new base station sites in deep rural areas of KwaZulu Natal to connect hundreds of thousands people, who have been left out in the Digital Age. This deployment will not only help bridge the significant digital divides that exist in remote areas of KwaZulu-Natal but marks a new age of mobile connectivity and effectively promoting digital inclusion for everyone.

The new sites will be rolled out in 11 District municipalities including Amajuba, eThekwini, Harry Gwala, iLembe, King Cetshwayo, Ugu, Umgungundlovu, uMzinyathi, Uthukela, Zululand, uMhlabuyalingana, uMfolozi, uMlalazi, uMsinga, uMzumbe, uMgeni, Ray Nkonyeni, Mandeni, eNdumeni, eDumbe, Msunduzi, Newcastle and Nqutu. This investment is part of Vodacom’s Rural Coverage Acceleration Programme, aimed at expanding network coverage for people who live in deep rural areas of South Africa to augment the good work that Vodacom regions have done in ramping up network infrastructure outside of urban areas over many years.

GSMA research shows that while the availability of high-speed broadband is critical to deep rural development, deep rural communities are lagging behind in terms of broadband connectivity, excluding many from digital transformation. Half the world’s population does not have access to the internet, leaving roughly 4 billion people excluded from the socio-economic benefits of connectivity.

“Ensuring network connectivity for individuals living in deep rural areas is fundamental to Vodacom’s commitment to extending service to those in remote areas. This aligns with our goal of connecting everyone, regardless of whether they live in urban centers, townships, or rural locations, which requires investment. We are focused on eliminating barriers and empowering citizens in rural and township communities to enjoy the same network experience as those in metropolitan areas and this way reap the economic benefits of the Digital Economy.”

–Imran Khan, Managing Executive, Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal region.

Broadband penetration has transformative power and is an enabler for economic and social growth and as such, makes it an essential tool for empowering people in rural areas. The World Bank study concludes that a 10-percentage point increase in fixed broadband penetration could increase GDP growth by 1.21% in developed economies and 1.38% in developing ones. Access to the internet will help rural dwellers access critical services such as eHealth, eEducation and eCommerce.

Vodacom is committed to constructing and activating these new sites within the current financial year. To achieve this ambitious goal and expedite deployment, the company is actively seeking collaboration from authorities, particularly in minimizing lengthy site approval times. Vodacom believes that streamlined approvals will enable a comprehensive rollout of rural sites, facilitating digital transformation and empowering numerous individuals in these regions to access the socio-economic benefits of the internet age.