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Mpumalanga’s connectivity revolution: Investment in internet access drives growth and inclusion
By Jessie Taylor
In the digital age, reliable internet connectivity is essential for economic development, education, and improved quality of life. Mpumalanga is one of the provinces witnessing a significant transformation in its connectivity landscape, thanks to extensive investments by major telecommunications players like MTN and Vodacom. This wave of investment is bridging the digital divide, enhancing access to vital online services, and opening new avenues for growth across the province’s rural and urban areas.
Expanding connectivity
MTN has made strides in bringing internet connectivity to Mpumalanga, with an ambitious target to reach 95% of rural areas across South Africa by 2025. This goal aligns with the telecom’s mission to address the connectivity needs of underserved communities, aiming to make digital access an everyday reality for all South Africans. As of May 2024, MTN had achieved over 98% network coverage in Mpumalanga.
Part of MTN’s investment involves the construction of new 5G sites, with 65 activated in Mpumalanga alone. The 5G sites aim to bring high-speed internet to even the most remote communities. This rollout aims to reduce network congestion and improve data access, providing rural users with an internet experience comparable to urban settings.
Vodacom has also been a major player in advancing connectivity in Mpumalanga. With a planned investment of R500-million in the province, Vodacom is working to expand its network coverage, support small businesses, and address social challenges.
During a recent engagement with Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu, Vodacom outlined its strategic initiatives, which include enhancing network resilience against load shedding and expanding 5G services to rural areas.
Both network providers have also committed to mitigating the impact of the country’s energy supply pressures. MTN and Vodacom have invested in resilience strategies to minimise network disruptions.
MTN’s 2024 resilience plan, for instance, includes installing power backups like batteries and hybrid generators across its sites, ensuring uninterrupted service during power outages. According to MTN, this initiative has improved overall network availability by 27% since its launch, with some sites achieving 97% uptime even during Stage 4 load shedding.
Vodacom has similarly bolstered its network against power interruptions, prioritizing infrastructure improvements to maintain customer service reliability in Mpumalanga. These measures are crucial for communities where mobile networks are the primary or sole means of internet access.
Addressing the digital divide
For many residents in Mpumalanga’s rural areas, mobile networks are their primary means of accessing the internet. Traditional fixed broadband infrastructure remains limited, often due to the high costs and logistical challenges associated with extending fibre to remote locations. As a result, mobile connectivity fills a critical gap, offering a lifeline for education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
According to data from Opensignal, 16.9% of rural users in Mpumalanga rely exclusively on mobile internet connections. Yet, challenges such as limited bandwidth, fluctuating signal strength, and network congestion persist. For rural residents, inconsistent connectivity can hinder remote work, virtual learning, and access to vital services.
The South African Government’s National Broadband Policy, alongside partnerships with private companies like MTN and Vodacom, aims to overcome these hurdles. Expanding mobile towers, introducing data-sharing solutions, and encouraging infrastructure-sharing agreements among service providers are some of the measures being explored to enhance rural connectivity in Mpumalanga.
Improving connectivity in Mpumalanga has far-reaching implications for the province’s economy. For local businesses, robust mobile connectivity enables online operations, facilitates access to wider markets, and allows participation in the digital economy. As many small businesses in rural areas are often constrained by limited market reach, internet access can be a game-changer, providing them with new growth opportunities.
Tourism, a key economic driver in Mpumalanga, also benefits from enhanced connectivity. Tourists expect consistent internet access to stay connected, share their experiences, and access essential information during their travels. Mpumalanga can enhance its appeal as a tourist destination by improving mobile coverage, potentially boosting local hospitality and service sectors.
As Mpumalanga moves toward a more connected future, investments in internet infrastructure by MTN, Vodacom, and other stakeholders are reshaping the province’s digital landscape. These efforts align with broader national goals of achieving universal connectivity, reducing the digital divide, and enabling equal access to the benefits of the digital world.
By enhancing internet access, Mpumalanga is paving the way for economic growth, improved social outcomes, and greater resilience in the face of challenges like load shedding. The province’s journey toward digital inclusivity showcases the transformative power of connectivity, offering its residents new opportunities to participate in and benefit from South Africa’s evolving digital economy.
Sources: IT Web | Opensignal | Mpumalanga Government | Hypertext
