Vodacom Mpumalanga to invest US$35.6m in network upgrades in FY27

Details: John Tanner; Category: Operators; 21 October 2026; 849 views

Vodacom Mpumalanga says it will invest over ZAR600 million (around US$36.6 million) in network infrastructure and technology in the coming financial year to expand broadband connectivity and support growing demand for digital services across the province.

In a statement released Monday, Vodacom Mpumalanga said the investment is focused on expanding network coverage, enhancing connectivity, improving network resilience and capacity, and extending access to digital services in underserved rural, township and urban areas of the province.

This investment builds on ZAR620 million the telco invested in network infrastructure in the previous financial year, which was prioritised for townships and deep rural areas.

As part of its ongoing network modernisation programme, Vodacom expanded its mobile infrastructure footprint across Mpumalanga from just over 1,300 sites to 1,408 sites. The telco said it’s also accelerating rollout of 4G and 5G services, particularly in underserved and remote communities.

The rollout will target all 17 local municipalities across Mpumalanga, spanning the Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and Nkangala district municipalities.

Vodacom also said it continues to leverage licensed spectrum bands, including 700 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz, to strengthen network coverage and increase capacity.

Meanwhile, the proportion of fibre-connected sites has increased from 41% in 2025/26 to 45% in 2026/27, improving network performance, reliability and customer experience.

Vodacom has also invested in network enhancement solutions, transmission upgrades and backup power infrastructure to mitigate the effects of localised power disruptions, vandalism and theft, which continue to pose challenges to telecoms infrastructure across South Africa.

Vodacom noted that during the 2025/26 financial year, around 90% of data traffic was carried on its 4G network, while traffic distribution shifted to 78% on 4G and 20% on 5G in 2026/27, which it said reflects increasing demand for next-generation connectivity.

“Through our continued investment in Mpumalanga's network infrastructure, we are ensuring that more communities can access the opportunities offered by the digital economy while benefiting from a world-class connectivity experience,” said Monde Ngcukana, managing executive for Vodacom Mpumalanga.

Last week, Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal announced it had earmarked ZAR1 billion for network infrastructure investment for the 2027 financial year, with a similar focus on expanding network coverage, increasing capacity, improving resilience and providing more connectivity to underserved areas.