Fibre-optic network for Lim
VODACOM Limpopo has launched their fibre-optic transmission LTE network at the Flora Park community park in Polokwane on Wednesday.
POLOKWANE – VODACOM Limpopo has launched their fibre-optic transmission LTE network at the Flora Park community park in Polokwane on Wednesday.
Vodacom group chief executive officer (CEO) Shameel Joosub said switching on this commercial LTE service is just one step in a much bigger network transformation.
“With over 9 000 base stations, Vodacom already has the most extensive network in South Africa by far and, on average, delivers faster connection speeds. Our challenge is not keeping ahead of other operators, it is keeping ahead of the tidal wave of data demand,” he said.
He told CV that Vodacom was the first network in South Africa to test LTE more that four years ago and had since been busy upgrading their base stations and fibre-optic transmission network.
“LTE represents a major jump in mobile connectivity capabilities. The service has the potential to operate at more than double the speed of any existing mobile connection currently commercially available in South Africa. Higher speed and lower latency translate into a more stable user experience with stutter-free video and almost instantaneous music and picture downloads,” he said.
Vodacom managing executive for the Limpopo region, Junaid Munshi, said Vodacom had rolled out LTE in Polokwane, Seshego, Groblersdal, Makhado, Lephalale, and Mankweng.
“Vodacom Limpopo will continue to invest in upgrading the network and roll out high speed LTE across entire province. The LTE service is currently available to all contract, top-up, and pre paid customers. The LTE device will automatically switch to the 3G network when LTE coverage is not available. Customers with LTE capable device can active the service by simply dialling 111 or visit any Vodacom approved outlet. LTE capable phones are now on sale at selected Vodacom outlets,” said Munshi.
He said that Vodacom already offered a wide range of LTE capable devices.
“The company has invested significantly to reduce price of LTE device so that they are available to all our customers. The Vodacom Turbo is available at R99 per month on the uChoose Flexi 50 contract or for a cash price of R1 829.
“Vodacom has also introduced affordable LTE routers and the Vodafone R-216 is available for R99 per month on the MyMeg 500 and a cash price of R1 529.
“Vodacom’s LTE network is of great benefit to small and medium enterprises. Vodacom offers high speed date solution package from five to 40Gig bundles for as low as R399 per month. These solutions also include low cost voice over internet protocol (VOIP),” he said.
