Since that time, it has incrementally extended coverage in these locations, while select parts of Durban have also been added to the 5G network.<\/p>\n
Vodacom said the assignment of temporary emergency spectrum played a key part in this rollout, in addition to its roaming agreement with Liquid Telecom, which provided it with sufficient spectrum to support the 5G network.<\/p>\n
The maps below show Vodacom 5G coverage in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.<\/p>\n
![\"Vodacom](\"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Screenshot-2021-05-19-at-08.49.48-640x418.png\")
<\/p>\n
![\"Vodacom](\"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Screenshot-2021-05-19-at-08.50.09-640x426.png\")
<\/p>\n
![\"Vodacom](\"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Screenshot-2021-05-19-at-08.50.31-640x427.png\")
<\/p>\n
![\"Vodacom](\"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Screenshot-2021-05-19-at-08.51.00-640x416.png\")
<\/p>\n
The 5G expansion has been slow when compared to Vodacom’s LTE\/4G rollout.<\/p>\n
The operator launched the country\u2019s first 4G mobile network in October 2012, with 70 base stations providing 4G connectivity to customers in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
By the next month, it had grown coverage to 400 sites across South Africa and by the end of March 2013, it had over 600 sites.<\/p>\n
Around five years after the launch, it reached more than 75% population coverage. Today, the 4G network covers more than 95% of the population.<\/p>\n
Based on this, many might assume Vodacom’s 4G network would be perfect for providing broadband services to those who cannot be reached by fixed solutions – like fibre.<\/p>\n
Joosub said while mobile data plays a crucial role in bringing quality broadband to more South Africans, it was not a good idea for operators to offer uncapped packages on 4G networks due to the current contention of users on limited available spectrum.<\/p>\n
Vodacom has 81MHz of spectrum which it has to use to provide services to 44 million subscribers.<\/p>\n
That means it has more than 543,200 subscribers per MHz, more than any other network operator in the country.<\/p>\n
Despite this, it still manages to outperform Telkom, Cell C, and Rain in network speed tests, showing that it uses its spectrum more efficiently.<\/p>\n
Pushing the network even further by providing uncapped data at affordable rates would be to the detriment of the larger customer base, Joosub explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrying to provide an unlimited wireless service on a 4G network is not very economical and doesn\u2019t really make sense,\u201d Joosub said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will not be long before all your customers will start suffering from those unlimited services, because you can\u2019t keep up with the capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Shameel](\"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Shameel-Joosub-640x430.jpg\")
Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub<\/p><\/div>\n
Joosub said that 5G was the crucial answer to these limits, as it would empower telecommunications companies to offer new types of mobile broadband packages.<\/p>\n
\u201c5G is a different technology, and can emulate fibre-like offerings and allow you to do bigger bundles and unlimited offerings,\u201d Joosub stated.<\/p>\n
However, it will not be possible to exponentially increase 5G availability until new spectrum was available.<\/p>\n
With South Africa\u2019s spectrum auction delayed due Telkom\u2019s interdict against ICASA, it is unlikely that Vodacom would be able to significantly expand its 5G network in the near future.<\/p>\n
Joosub called on stakeholders in the spectrum auction to stop “playing games” and do what’s best for the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do need certainty. The delays in the spectrum auction is holding the country back,\u201d Joosub stated.<\/p>\n
He added that aside from being able to provide more data to customers, the additional spectrum would enable operators to bring down data prices.<\/p>\n