Vodacom's network infrastructure

Alastair Otter

Alastair Otter is a senior journalist at MyBroadband, and focuses on software and hardware. He has a particular love for Open Source Software (OSS)...

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Vodacom recently announced that it would list on the JSE in May, and one of the company’s biggest assets is its well established mobile network. The company is also starting to develop its own fixed line network, and is exploring technologies like WiMax and fibre.

Here are some of the details about Vodacom’s network infrastructure.

Basic network infrastructure
Vodacom currently has 7 397 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) base stations covering most parts of South Africa. This remains one of the biggest assets of the company, serving the local population with mobile voice and data services.

Vodacom has also embarked on a network rollout to self-provide their transmission needs towards the end of 2007. A point-to-point and point-to-multipoint microwave network was deployed to provide connectivity to WiMAX, 2G and 3G base stations, as well as providing connectivity for Vodacom Business customers.

To boost its fixed line infrastructure Vodacom is constructing several fibre rings in major metropolitan areas.  These fibre rings is used to interconnect various mobile switching centres and base station controller sites and provide connectivity to Vodacom Business customers.  Vodacom has completed four fibre rings while another seven is in-progress.

Vodacom SA has also constructed a satellite earth station in Midrand providing international connectivity and links to certain remote sites within South Africa. Vodacom also offers VSAT services to its business customers.

3G/HSDPA towers
Vodacom started deploying its 3G network in December 2004 and quickly grew it to cover most cities and larger towns in South Africa. In 2007 Vodacom deployed HSDPA in its South African, supporting down-link speeds of 3.6Mbps.

Vodacom currently has 2 665 3G/HSDPA base stations in South Africa.  Good news for Vodacom broadband subscribers is that it is expected that by July 2009 the full network will be HSDPA 7.2Mbps capable.  

While most base stations are already 7.2Mbps capable now, backhaul constraints is holding Vodacom back from launching a commercial HSDPA service.

Its extensive 3G/HSDPA network means that Vodacom has become the leader in mobile broadband services, and is posing a serious challenge to Telkom as the leading broadband provider in South Africa.

WiMax
Last year Vodacom deployed a WiMax network on behalf of iBurst, spanning large parts of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban. As of 31 December 2008, 118 WiMAX base stations were operational in South Africa.

WiMax allows Vodacom to resell a wireless broadband service similar to ADSL, which complements the HSPA wireless broadband services. WiMax provides an assured rate service which functions as a wireless leased service with quality of service and service level guarantees for enterprises, typically competing with leased line offerings from Telkom and Internet Solutions.

Combining forces
An interesting development is that Vodacom, MTN and Neotel are partnering to build a national fibre network. The network will cover a distance of 5 000 km, connecting the major centres across South Africa.

This combined project will supply the two cellular network operators with near unlimited national transmission capacity – something which will drastically reduce their monthly Telkom bill and give them control over this important facet of their network.

With its extensive wireless network and growing fibre infrastructure Vodacom is well positioned to face the challenges in a fast changing telecommunications market.  

The company will however have to deal with competitors like MTN, Telkom and Neotel, all of which are also aggressively investing in network infrastructure and expanding their current service offerings.

Vodacom’s network – give your views