Vodacom expands 3G HSDPA coverage

[vodacom3g]

Just for Pitbull )), this is what a typical raw press release looks like. In this case it's about Vodacom rolling out 3G in the more outlying areas. The journos then take this and massage it the way they see fit.

Vodacom is connecting the Western and Northern Cape to the Internet

18 December 2008

Vodacom, South Africa’s leading cellular network, is providing the Western and Northern Cape with even greater access to broadband internet services by expanding its 3G HSDPA footprint outside of the major metropolitan centres.

During December Vodacom added four more towns to its 3G HSDPA network. These are Jongensfontein, Franskraalstrand, Citrusdal and Saronsberg. In January, Lamberts Bay and Veldrif will receive coverage.

Dot Field, Chief Communications Officer for the Vodacom Group, says no other network provider can currently match Vodacom’s coverage in the Western and Northern Cape.

“Not only does Vodacom have N7 road coverage all the way from Cape Town to the Namibian border, we are now providing many of the towns in this region with 3G HSDPA coverage allowing them high speed access to the internet. Through Vodacom we are connecting the Western and Northern Cape to the world through our network.”

Field says in addition to the recently added towns, Vodacom has also connected Rooi Els, Laingville and Piketberg to its 3G HSDPA network.

“We are working hard to make sure that the whole of South Africa has the ability to connect to the internet through our 3G HSDPA network - whether you are based in Cape Town or in Darling.”

Areas now covered by Vodacom’s 3G HSDPA network in the Western and Northern Cape include:

Laingville, Stompneusbaai, Club Mykonos, Piketberg, Morreesburg, Darling, Yzerfontein, Grabouw, Villiersdorp, Robertson, Scarborough, Rooi Els, Betty's Bay, Kleinmond, Gansbaai, Bredasdorp, L'Agulhas, Struisbaai, Riversdale, Stilbaai, Prince Albert, Jongensfontein, Franskraalstrand, Citrusdal and Saronsberg.

This is in addition to areas Vodacom has already covered for some time. These areas are:

Springbok, Vredendal, Vredenburg, Saldanha, Langebaan, Atlantis, Ceres, Malmesbury, Beaufort West, Caledon, Hermanus, Worcestor, Rawsonville, Wellington and Swellendam.

Ends

Issued on behalf of: Vodacom Group
Dot Field
Chief Communications Officer

 

[Pitbull]

So we can all just spam crap on MyBB ?

Like I said yesterday, to me a news article should be just that. And obviously alot of people agreed with it even rpm. The above wouold not have made it into the news section any which way

 

[rpm]

Same article to follow at around 11:00 on news page

 

[rpm]

Like I said yesterday, to me a news article should be just that. And obviously alot of people agreed with it even rpm. The above wouold not have made it into the news section any which way

I disagree here Pitbull. Network growth, new services etc fall into information which is in the public interest (just look at the interest in Neotel's coverage) and we have a duty to publish such articles...from whatever source.

 

[Pitbull]

I disagree here Pitbull. Network growth, new services etc fall into information which is in the public interest (just look at the interest in Neotel's coverage) and we have a duty to publish such articles...from whatever source.

However,

Yesterday you said that there is a plan to implement a Press release section .

 

[vodacom3g]

So we can all just spam crap on MyBB ?

Like I said yesterday, to me a news article should be just that. And obviously alot of people agreed with it even rpm. The above wouold not have made it into the news section any which way

Wow, forgot the Ritalin this morning?

After your rant yesterday, I wanted to show you a typical example of what the jounos gets given. This is a pukka press release that just went out on the wire and rpm, Duncan and the rest of the industry will receive.

What they then do with it is up to them.

As to the content, it's probably of interest to this community, but that's up to the editor to decide.

/oops/ See rpm responded above.

 

[rpm]

Yesterday you said that there is a plan to implement a Press release section .

Indeed - but some press releases are definitely newsworthy. Just because it is a press release does not mean it is not valuable news. It is simply another source...

 

[Pitbull]

Wow, forgot the Ritalin this morning?

After your rant yesterday, I wanted to show you a typical example of what the jounos gets given. This is a pukka press release that just went out on the wire and rpm, Duncan and the rest of the industry will receive.

What they then do with it is up to them.

As to the content, it's probably of interest to this community, but that's up to the editor to decide.

/oops/ See rpm responded above.

Yes, true

As rpm said it includes network growth and this is what this forum is about. So I see where he is coming from. Making that press release into a news article is where I'll reserve my coment for now. I'll wait for the article to see if it is actually news or if it's just more of the same.

 

[<moLe>]

i find this news informative as a vodacom subscriber (although I can't see me going to Pitsonderwater or any other dodgy town any time soon, but noticed on a drive down to Bloem the other day that the whole stretch of N1 from Jozy to Bloem seems to have 3G atleast, so go Voda boys keep em coming

 

[sunsoffun]

I agree... it is news for the masses which should heard by all.... just kinda leaves a bad taste in your mouth, as it does seem like a bit of P.R. on the side vodacom!

 

[rpm]

i find this news informative as a vodacom subscriber (although I can't see me going to Pitsonderwater or any other dodgy town any time soon, but noticed on a drive down to Bloem the other day that the whole stretch of N1 from Jozy to Bloem seems to have 3G atleast, so go Voda boys keep em coming

Vodacom is certainly doing a great job with its coverage. Springbok, Vredendal and other small places...there is so little to do in these small places that an Internet connection is absolutely necessary if one ever has to visit them

Vodacom3G: Do you use Microwave for backhaul for these smaller towns? Any fibre in these regions?

 

[Zyzzyva]

Well done vodacom.

I'm sure the folks(yes i just called them folks) in these far flung areas will be very pleased to hear this.

 

[vodacom3g]

Vodacom is certainly doing a great job with its coverage. Springbok, Vredendal and other small places...there is so little to do in these small places that an Internet connection is absolutely necessary if one ever has to visit them

Vodacom3G: Do you use Microwave for backhaul for these smaller towns? Any fibre in these regions?

Most likely Microwave, but could also include Telkom lines. But will ask.

As to why this news now?

You guys would've noticed a trend of these smaller areas being covered this time of year. We try and get coverage out to areas where people will be going on holiday so you'll see a focus on this before the holiday seasons.

And as rpm mentioned, we're trying to keep the population explosion under control in some of the more outlying areas.

 

[rpm]

You guys would've noticed a trend of these smaller areas being covered this time of year. We try and get coverage out to areas where people will be going on holiday so you'll see a focus on this before the holiday seasons.

I am personally hesitant to go on holiday in a place without HSDPA coverage, although I prefer free, unmetered Wi-Fi With more extensive HSDPA coverage it does open up a few more holiday destinations, although it is unlikely that I will spend a few weeks in Springbok in summer anytime soon

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Vodacom is certainly doing a great job with its coverage. Springbok, Vredendal and other small places...there is so little to do in these small places that an Internet connection is absolutely necessary if one ever has to visit them

Vodacom3G: Do you use Microwave for backhaul for these smaller towns? Any fibre in these regions?

Try and sit in Pofadder for 2 weeks and you need to do some server support. (Last year this time for me). Those places need coverage as Telkom is dragging its feet to supply them with ADSL.

 

[<moLe>]

Try and sit in Pofadder for 2 weeks and you need to do some server support. (Last year this time for me). Those places need coverage as Telkom is dragging its feet to supply them with ADSL.

well no offence but why do people stay in these dodgy towns? I understand the whole farming thing, but staying "in" one of these towns must be hell for a young person!!!

 

[Tarzan]

Well at least one good thing has come for the vaalies populating our sandy shores.

 

[km2]

Like I said yesterday, to me a news article should be just that. And obviously alot of people agreed with it even rpm. The above wouold not have made it into the news section any which way

I think press-release journalism sits on a very slippery slope. It's a disease that seems to infect most IT publications eventually, until all they do is regurgitate press releases in a slightly different form, and alternate that coverage with positive reviews of free samples they get.

The problem is that when the company gets to set the frame of the question, it's nearly impossible for the resulting story to not come across as positive for said company. If this was going to be a "fair" story it would start from a neutral question like "Who's got the best 3G coverage in popular holiday destinations" or "Who's rolling out 3G towers the fastest". Yes, it could easily end up with the answer "Vodacom", but at least the question wouldn't be as one-sided as "Which Vodacom has added the most Vodacom towers to the Vodacom network? Vodacom!".

So right now, MTN may have had coverage in all those towns listed but because Vodacom got to put their spin out anyone reading this will probably just buy a Vodacom SIM first.

EDIT: Does anyone go and ask the other mobile providers for comment before running these stories? Something like "Vodacom's talking about how awesome their coverage is. Got any reply on how your coverage compares in these same towns?"

 

[<moLe>]

I think press-release journalism sits on a very slippery slope. It's a disease that seems to infect most IT publications eventually, until all they do is regurgitate press releases in a slightly different form, and alternate that coverage with positive reviews of free samples they get.

The problem is that when the company gets to set the frame of the question, it's nearly impossible for the resulting story to not come across as positive for said company. If this was going to be a "fair" story it would start from a neutral question like "Who's got the best 3G coverage in popular holiday destinations" or "Who's rolling out 3G towers the fastest". Yes, it could easily end up with the answer "Vodacom", but at least the question wouldn't be as one-sided as "Which Vodacom has added the most Vodacom towers to the Vodacom network? Vodacom!".

So right now, MTN may have had coverage in all those towns listed but because Vodacom got to put their spin out anyone reading this will probably just buy a Vodacom SIM first.

EDIT: Does anyone go and ask the other mobile providers for comment before running these stories? Something like "Vodacom's talking about how awesome their coverage is. Got any reply on how your coverage compares in these same towns?"

+1 wise words padiwan

 

[Shake&Bake]

What ever happened to the idea of the sub-forum for press releases here?