Telecommunications groups MTN and Vodacom are both injecting millions of rands into KwaZulu-Natal to enhance network coverage and expand rural access in the province.

Vodacom plans to invest R100-million to build 106 new base stations in deep rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal as part of its Rural Coverage Acceleration Programme.

This will help bridge the significant digital divides that exist in remote areas of the province, while unlocking a new age of mobile connectivity and effectively promoting digital inclusion.

The new sites will be deployed across 11 district municipalities, including Amajuba, eThekwini, Harry Gwala, iLembe, King Cetshwayo, Ugu, Umgungundlovu, uMzinyathi, Uthukela, Zululand, uMhlabuyalingana, uMfolozi, uMlalazi, uMsinga, uMzumbe, uMgeni, Ray Nkonyeni, Mandeni, eNdumeni, eDumbe, Msunduzi, Newcastle and Nqutu.

“We are committed to constructing and activating these new sites within this financial year. To achieve our goal and expedite the deployment, we are seeking collaboration from the authorities, particularly in minimising lengthy site approval times,” says Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal region managing executive Imran Khan.

“Ensuring network connectivity for individuals living in deep rural areas is fundamental to Vodacom’s commitment to extending service to those in remote areas.”

The company aims to eliminate barriers and ensure that rural and township communities have the same network experience as those in metropolitan areas.

GSMA research shows that while the availability of high-speed broadband is critical to deep rural development, deep rural communities are lagging behind in terms of broadband connectivity.

The latest investment adds to Vodacom’s injection, last year, of R800-million into the region to improve network connectivity, build new network sites and modernise its mobile networks.

Meanwhile, MTN is investing R480-million to enhance network coverage, expand and modernise its network infrastructure across KwaZulu-Natal, including extending and adding more capacity and speed to its 4G coverage, which currently sits at 97% in the province.

Rural communities and townships will be the primary beneficiaries of the 4G expansion, while metropolitans and larger towns will gain broader access to MTN’s high-speed 5G network.

The project entails the construction of 25 new sites, the modernisation of 90 sites, capacity upgrades to 120 sites and transmission upgrades to more than 80 sites.

“The improvements are already being felt. Residents in villages like Mpendle have seen a significant boost in connectivity thanks to recent 4G rollouts, while villages such as Nongidi, Mpofana, Weenen, Bovini, Nkapha, Nkambele, Kwantabomvu and Lokwe are in the pipeline to benefit this year,” says MTN South Africa GM for KwaZulu-Natal Busi Dlamini.

Bigger towns, such as Pietermaritzburg, are experiencing enhanced 5G coverage that supports faster, more reliable digital access for both consumers and businesses.

“KwaZulu-Natal is a key growth province for MTN, and this investment is a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to bridging the digital divide. We are ensuring that no one is left behind in South Africa’s digital revolution.”

The announcement comes as MTN formally inducted the 2025 KZN leg of its Digital Skills for Digital Jobs (DS4DJ) programme, a strategic initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment through demand-driven MICT SETA accredited digital training.

The national programme will benefit 700 young people across all nine provinces, with 80 participants formally inducted into the national digital skills development programme in June.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between MTN, the EBL Institute of Business and Technology, Moses Kotane Research Institute, Durban University of Technology InnoBiz and the Office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal.

The DS4DJ programme, focusing on high-demand skills such as data analytics, cybersecurity and systems development, equips participants with both technical and professional skills aligned with the current job market.

“South Africa’s youth are full of potential, but they need access to the right opportunities. This programme is designed to not only train but also assist learners identify and connect with employment opportunities. It is a direct response to the unemployment crisis, and it shows what’s possible when government, business and academia work together,” continues Dlamini.

Beyond technical training, the programme aims to develop professionals who are job-ready and capable of driving innovation in a rapidly digitising world.