Vodacom Limpopo extends network coverage in Duvhuledza village, Thulamela Local Municipality

This will be the very first base station to be deployed in this village, ushering in a new era of mobile connectivity in the area.

LIMPOPO - Today, a delegation from Vodacom Limpopo was joined by Chief Nemubvumoni Fhatuwani Alfree and scores of community members at the unveiling of a new base station site in Duvheledza village, located in the Thulamela Municipality. The latest move is significant for over 5000 households in Duvhuledza village as this will be the very first base station to be deployed in this village, ushering in a new era of mobile connectivity in the area.

The new site in Duvhuledza is part of Vodacom’s Rural Coverage Network Expansion Programme, aimed at expanding network coverage for people who live in deep rural areas of South Africa to supplement the good work that Vodacom regions have done in ramping up network infrastructure outside of urban areas over many years.

Tsatsi Evah Mthimunye, Executive Head: Operations for Vodacom Limpopo region commented:

“We have embarked on a crucial network investment drive in our province as part of the rural network expansion programme, so that we address coverage gaps in very deep rural areas. As part of this programme, we’ve become the only network provider to deploy the very first base station to Duvhuledza village. On a practical basis, this means that we’ll be bringing faster data services voice services to hundreds of people who currently have no network connectivity.”

“There is a proven link between increased internet LIMPOPO - Today, a delegation from Vodacom Limpopo was joined by Chief Nemubvumoni Fhatuwani Alfree and scores of community members at the unveiling of a new base station site in Duvheledza village, located in the Thulamela Municipality. The latest move is significant for over 5000 households in Duvhuledza village as this will be the very first base station to be deployed in this village, ushering in a new era of mobile connectivity in the area.

The new site in Duvhuledza is part of Vodacom’s Rural Coverage Network Expansion Programme, aimed at expanding network coverage for people who live in deep rural areas of South Africa to supplement the good work that Vodacom regions have done in ramping up network infrastructure outside of urban areas over many years.

Tsatsi Evah Mthimunye, Executive Head: Operations for Vodacom Limpopo region commented:

“We have embarked on a crucial network investment drive in our province as part of the rural network expansion programme, so that we address coverage gaps in very deep rural areas. As part of this programme, we’ve become the only network provider to deploy the very first base station to Duvhuledza village. On a practical basis, this means that we’ll be bringing faster data services voice services to hundreds of people who currently have no network connectivity.”

“There is a proven link between increased internet access and economic growth, so by providing connectivity in rural areas of our country, we are playing a crucial role in driving South Africa’s economy,” said Khan.

Duvhuledza village is 46 km from Thohoyandou,the administrative and legislative centre for the Venda region in the Limpopo province. The new site went live in February this year.

The new base station site which is 3G and 4G enabled will also provide coverage to nearby villages such as Mpandoni, Duvhuledza, Mubvumoni and Tshimbolimbo. These communities have a population of more than 30 000 residents. In total Vodacom currently has 90 live sites in Thulamela Municipality and plans to build 12 new site in 2018- 2019 financial year.

This focus on network investment is continuing into Vodacom’s 2017/2018 financial year, and resulted in hundreds of millions of rands being spent in the Limpopo region to expand coverage and increase network capacity and speed in the region during 2017-2018 to further expand our 2G, 3G and 4G network coverage, increase data speeds, and further reduce our dropped-call rate across the region, ensuring that we continue to deliver on our ‘Best network’ promise, even for people who reside in rural areas.

“We’re sending a strong message that Vodacom is taking serious steps in ensuring that people in rural areas are connected and have access to fast data speeds so that they become part of the internet revolution and take full advantage of its positive impacts,” Mthimunye concluded.

access and economic growth, so by providing connectivity in rural areas of our country, we are playing a crucial role in driving South Africa’s economy,” said Khan.

Duvhuledza village is 46 km from Thohoyandou,the administrative and legislative centre for the Venda region in the Limpopo province. The new site went live in February this year.

The new base station site which is 3G and 4G enabled will also provide coverage to nearby villages such as Mpandoni, Duvhuledza, Mubvumoni and Tshimbolimbo. These communities have a population of more than 30 000 residents. In total Vodacom currently has 90 live sites in Thulamela Municipality and plans to build 12 new site in 2018- 2019 financial year.

This focus on network investment is continuing into Vodacom’s 2017/2018 financial year, and resulted in hundreds of millions of rands being spent in the Limpopo region to expand coverage and increase network capacity and speed in the region during 2017-2018 to further expand our 2G, 3G and 4G network coverage, increase data speeds, and further reduce our dropped-call rate across the region, ensuring that we continue to deliver on our ‘Best network’ promise, even for people who reside in rural areas.

“We’re sending a strong message that Vodacom is taking serious steps in ensuring that people in rural areas are connected and have access to fast data speeds so that they become part of the internet revolution and take full advantage of its positive impacts,” Mthimunye concluded.