South African telecommunications company Vodacom has committed R1 billion to expanding its 5G network and upgrading telecommunications infrastructure across KwaZulu-Natal during the 2027 financial year, as part of efforts to improve broadband connectivity and bridge the digital divide.
The investment was disclosed in a statement seen by TechMedia Africa, with the company outlining plans to expand network coverage, increase capacity, strengthen infrastructure resilience and prepare for future telecommunications technologies.
KwaZulu-Natal, a coastal South African province known for its beaches and mountainous landscapes, is the country’s second-most populous province and is experiencing growing demand for mobile data and digital services.
The latest commitment builds on the R1.1 billion Vodacom invested in the province during the previous financial year, bringing its combined investment across the two periods to R2.1 billion.
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How the R1 billion investment will be deployed
According to Vodacom, approximately R419 million, representing nearly 42% of the investment, will be allocated to radio network expansion and modernisation.
The funding will support the construction of new network sites, upgrades to existing 4G LTE and 5G infrastructure, and improvements in coverage and capacity across urban centres, townships and underserved rural communities.
The rollout will cover municipalities including eThekwini, uMzimkhulu, Msunduzi, uMvoti, uMhlathuze, Nkandla, eMsinga, iMpendle, Richmond and eDumbe, among others.
More than R173 million will be invested in transmission infrastructure, including fibre-optic and microwave network upgrades, to strengthen connectivity and accommodate increasing broadband traffic.
Another R63.5 million has been earmarked for energy resilience, with the company planning to deploy generators, batteries and backup power systems to minimise service disruptions caused by electricity outages, cable theft and municipal infrastructure failures.
The remaining investment will support other network infrastructure requirements, including core network upgrades, although the company did not provide a detailed breakdown of these allocations.
Beyond infrastructure expansion, Vodacom plans to improve access to affordable smartphones and mobile data through initiatives such as Easy2Own, Just4You and Just4YourTown, encouraging customers to migrate from older 2G and 3G devices to 4G- and 5G-enabled smartphones.
Imran Khan, Managing Executive for Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal, said the investment would help expand broadband access while addressing inequalities in digital connectivity.
“Our goal is clear: to create a digitally inclusive KwaZulu-Natal where everyone can participate in and benefit from the opportunities of the digital economy,” Khan said.
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State of 5G penetration in South Africa
Vodacom’s investment comes amid significant disparities in 5G network availability across South Africa, particularly between urban centres and rural communities.
According to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), national 5G population coverage increased from 46.6% in 2024 to 58% in 2025, reflecting continued expansion of next-generation mobile networks.
However, the regulator’s 2026 State of the ICT Sector report revealed that rural 5G coverage averaged just 30.7% across the country’s nine provinces, highlighting the uneven distribution of telecommunications infrastructure.
KwaZulu-Natal was among the least-connected provinces, with only 15% of its rural population covered by 5G networks. The Eastern Cape recorded the lowest coverage at 7%, followed by the Northern Cape at 13%.
In contrast, Gauteng and Mpumalanga recorded rural 5G coverage rates of 74% and 63%, respectively, demonstrating the significant geographical differences in network deployment.
The disparity is particularly notable given that older mobile technologies have achieved near-universal population coverage nationally, with 3G reaching 99.85% and 4G covering almost the entire population.
