Vodacom and MTN tease 5G plans for 2022

Hanno Labuschagne

Hanno Labuschagne

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Vodacom and MTN tease 5G plans for 2022

In less than two years, South Africa's two biggest mobile network operators have expanded their 5G networks from a few pockets of coverage to numerous cities and towns.

As more smartphones are shipping with support for 5G, mobile customers in South Africa will increasingly demand that their networks support the new technology.

5G offers faster speed, greater bandwidth, and lower latency than 4G/LTE and 3G.
 
  • Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth)
  • Makhado (formerly Louis Trichardt)
  • Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown)
  • Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg)
  • Qonce (formerly King William’s Town)
 
Vodacom has become so hit-and-miss. In some places it's a dream, but in others ... the network keeps dropping. Faerie Glen, Pretoria East, is a Vodacom black site just about.

I don't ask much from my mobile network apart from it actually ... you know ... being there. I'm seriously contemplating a move back to MTN when my contract ends this year. Anyone else in the same boat?
 
Mtn shows 5g coverage in Pietermaritzburg but I get nothing more than LTE with my S21. Something not right with their coverage map.
 
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Would be nice if they upgrade network infrastructure along the N1 from Messina all the way to Cape Town with 4G, some sites are still on 3G and others on Edge. Major Towns that run along the N1 like Mokopane, Mookgophong, Modimolle and Bela Bela in Limpopo, will be great to get 5G from Rain, Vodacom and MTN. Affordable 5G would be super. Also please upgrade network towers in Garden Route (Sedgefield all way to Dana Bay Western Cape) due to being popular tourist destination, networks are extremely congested, most of time no service like calls or internet for days on end.
 
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MEG101 said:
Would be nice if they upgrade network infrastructure along the N1 from Messina all the way to Cape Town with 4G, some sites are still on 3G and others on Edge. Major Towns that run along the N1 like Mokopane, Mookgophong, Modimolle and Bela Bela in Limpopo, will be great to get 5G from Rain, Vodacom and MTN. Affordable 5G would be super. Also please upgrade network towers in Garden Route (Sedgefield all way to Dana Bay Western Cape) due to being popular tourist destination, networks are extremely congested, most of time no service like calls or internet for days on end.
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No service for days on end?

I doubt that. Might be a problem with your device.
 
Inzaghi007 said:
Mtn shows 5g coverage in Pietermaritzburg but I get nothing more than LTE with my S21. Something not right with their coverage map.
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Have you ever had a 5G connection on your 5G phone? Sometimes it does not auto provision and you have to phone customer care to activate the 5G service. Didn't have to with MTN, but did have to Vodacom
 
genetic said:
No service for days on end?

I doubt that. Might be a problem with your device.
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I think I needed to be more specific. Apologies for that. My parents live in Great Brakriver, in Hersham area, the area is situated lower than rest of town, and coverage is very limited. They have to drive to town to get good reception for calls and 4G coverage. I had to get them JustDSL in order to use whatsapp calls and general internet usage. I think Vodacom and MTN need to erect towers on the mountain in the area to increase network coverage. Lots of people live in Hersham and have Vodacom and MTN contracts.
 
MEG101 said:
I think I needed to be more specific. Apologies for that. My parents live in Great Brakriver, in Hersham area, the area is situated lower than rest of town, and coverage is very limited. They have to drive to town to get good reception for calls and 4G coverage. I had to get them JustDSL in order to use whatsapp calls and general internet usage. I think Vodacom and MTN need to erect towers on the mountain in the area to increase network coverage. Lots of people live in Hersham and have Vodacom and MTN contracts.
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The entire area of Hersham is covered with LTE by both MTN and Vodacom. Either your parents live in a radio deadzone on the mountain, or your problem is very specific.

Erecting towers on a mountain to serve a few people with LTE is just not profitable for networks providers, so I doubt that will change anytime soon.
 
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