SUMMARY: MTN is to repair KZN unrest through R500-million ($35.2-million) investment for network upgrades and expansion. A further R150-million is being channelled towards replacing stolen and vandalized network infrastructure. MTN’s strategic intent in KZN includes network modernization and LTE expansion. In 2020, MTN invested R270-million ($19-million) towards network upgrades in the province. The investment will allow the company to further expand its 5G network in the region.
MTN has launched a variety of community projects as part of its efforts to aid in the rebuilding of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) following the fatal upheaval that swept South Africa in July, including an R500-million ($35.2-million) investment in network upgrades and growth across the region.
MTN is also allocating R150 million ($10.5 million) to replace stolen and vandalized network infrastructures, such as batteries and copper cables.
MTN is also contributing R10 million ($704K) to the assistance of qualifying spaza shops in KZN and Gauteng. Over 1,000 spaza stores will profit from this investment. Each spaza will get trading stock, resale airtime, and MoMo tools, among other things. All this is in an effort to repair KZN unrest.
Cost Details to Repair KZN Unrest
The Network Modernisation of South Africa initiative includes an R500-million ($35.2-million) investment in boosting connectivity in KwaZulu-Natal (MONZA). R354 million ($24 million) of the R500 million ($35.2-million) investment will go toward upgrading and expanding network infrastructure across the province.
“The country has been through so much misery as a result of COVID-19 during the last 17 months. The recent civil disturbances and theft in KwaZulu-Natal and portions of Gauteng have highlighted the severe poverty and unemployment that South Africans face, and the economic situation remains extremely difficult,” says Matthew Khumalo, MTN GM: KwaZulu-Natal.
“Sustainable and expedited job creation will be critical to SA’s long-term prosperity, and the best way to do this is to support the growth of small and medium companies in both urban and rural areas. These are the true economic engine rooms we need to get up and running, and MTN will continue to leverage its digital solutions, knowledge, network reach, and stability to support and accelerate company and employment growth,” he says.
Investment Doubled by MTN effort to Repair KZN Unrest
In comparison to the previous year, this year’s investment is nearly double. MTN committed R270 million ($19 million) in the province’s network upgrade in 2020, allowing the business to reach LTE coverage of 92 percent across the province.
MTN’s strategic intent in the region includes network modernization and LTE expansion in rural and township areas – in fact, MTN has been able to provide extra capacity and throughput speeds to all of their customers, thanks to the temporary spectrum that was awarded as part of the government’s disaster management response to the pandemic.
Changing traffic patterns caused by many South Africans working from home necessitated capacity reallocation, which was substantially aided by the interim spectrum.
The extra LTE coverage has greatly benefited rural areas where access has previously been an issue. Learners who use e-learning platforms and those who work from home have benefited from this.
The money will be used to help the company extend its 5G network in the region. Umhlanga Ridge, Chatsworth, Durban CBD, Phoenix, and, more recently, portions of Pietermaritzburg, are already benefiting from 5G.
“We are working relentlessly to ensure that our customers have a positive experience on our network, and customer service will always be at the heart of all we do. For many people around the country, this year has been difficult, but there is reason to be optimistic.
Conclusion
From the above, we see that MTN’s strategic intent in the region, in its effort to repair KZN unrest, includes network modernization and LTE expansion in rural and township areas. MTN has been able to provide extra capacity and throughput speeds to all of its customers, thanks to the temporary spectrum that was awarded as part of the government’s disaster management response to the Ebola pandemic. To us at AfricanITNews.com, it is an effort in the right direction.