The fastest mobile networks at the Cape Town International Convention Centre for AfricaCom

MyBroadband Insights testing has determined that Vodacom has the fastest 5G network at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, while Telkom leads the area out of all 4G networks.

The Cape Town International Convention Centre is one of the largest and most popular facilities of its kind in Africa.

It is a premier business tourism attraction in South Africa, and has hosted iconic events like the 2023 Netball World Cup.

Currently, AfricaCom is in full swing at the CTICC, and has brought a wide range of network carriers, ICT companies, and technology experts together at this iconic venue.

Given the high-tech nature of this event, it is critical that South Africa’s leading mobile networks offer excellent Internet connectivity at the venue.

MyBroadband Insights therefore tested the mobile Internet speeds inside the convention centre, as well as at the Westin Grand Hotel – which is located within the CTICC’s premises.

This simulates the full experience of someone who is attending AfricaCom — including their accommodation at the hotel, and then their attendance of the event itself.

All testing was conducted using identical Samsung S22 smartphones, which are effective at replication the performance of most mid-to-high-range devices.

CTICC results

MTN and Vodacom were the only two networks for whom we could perform 5G tests in the CTICC — and Vodacom was the clear winner.

It achieved an average 5G download speed of 319Mbps inside the centre — dwarfing MTN’s 91Mbps.

4G testing found that all five mobile networks — MTN, Vodacom, Telkom, Cell C, and Rain — had impressive coverage.

However, Telkom stood out with an average download speed of 89Mbps. Its closest competitor, Vodacom, only achieved 51Mbps.

MTN and Cell C both trailed with 38Mbps, and Rain was in last place with 30Mbps.

Westin Hotel results

Vodacom continued its 5G testing dominance in the Westin Hotel, as it was the only network that had 5G coverage.

It achieved an impressive average download speed of 287Mbps, as well as an upload speed of 10Mbps and latency of 18.7ms.

The 4G testing results were similar to those from the CTICC — with Telkom once again leading the way and achieving a download speed of 86Mbps.

Cell C impressed in the Westin Hotel, finishing in second place with 56Mbps, while MTN finished third with 37Mbps.

Bringing up the rear were Rain — with 33Mbps — and Vodacom, which finished last with only 21Mbps.