Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal earmarks US$60.3m for network upgrades in FY27

Details: John Tanner; Category: Operators; 15 October 2026; 259 views

Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal announced on Wednesday it has earmarked ZAR1 billion (US$60.3 million) for network infrastructure investment for the 2027 financial year.

Vodacom said the capex investment will focus on expanding network coverage, increasing capacity, improving resilience and preparing the network for future technologies. The deployment includes upgrades to radio, transmission, core network, power resilience and supporting infrastructure.

Vodacom also said almost half of that amount (around ZAR419 million) will go towards radio network expansion and modernisation. That includes new site builds, LTE and 5G upgrades, coverage expansion, and capacity improvements to improve connectivity in urban centres, townships, and deep rural areas throughout the South African province.

Vodacom will also invest more than ZAR173 million in transmission infrastructure, including fibre and microwave network upgrades to boost network resilience, improve service quality and brace the transport network for growing demand for broadband and digital services in KwaZulu-Natal.

Municipalities targeted by the network expansion plan include eThekwini, uMzimkhulu, Msunduzi, uMvoti, uMhlathuze, Nkandla, eMsinga, iMpendle, Richmond and eDumbe, among others.

Imran Khan, managing executive for Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal said the the 2027 investment plan builds on the ZAR1.1 billion the telco invested in KwaZulu-Natal the previous year.

“As we continue to modernise and expand our network, we are laying the foundation for future technologies while addressing digital inequality through wider broadband access,” he said in a statement.

Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal also said it has set aside ZAR63.5 million towards an energy resilience programme, aimed at maintaining connectivity during power disruptions caused by localised load reduction, cable theft, municipal infrastructure failures and maintenance activities.

That investment will include generators, batteries, and backup power systems to help maintain network availability during power interruptions.

The news follows an announcement earlier this month that Vodacom will invest over ZAR500 million in network infrastructure in South Africa's Western Cape during the current financial year, with spending focused on network modernisation, 5G expansion and energy resilience.