Maziv-owned fibre network operator Vuma has officially surpassed one-million subscribers.

Vuma reached this milestone within eight years, underscoring how central fibre connectivity has become to everyday life and economic participation.

This growth represents a significantly faster adoption curve than previous fixed-line technologies in South Africa, such as ADSL, which took about 14 years to reach its peak of just over one-million subscribers.

“Reaching one-million subscribers is a major milestone for Vuma and a strong validation of our long-term strategy,” said Maziv CEO Dietlof Mare in a statement on Monday, noting that world-class connectivity was no longer a luxury, it was a fundamental right for every South African.

It reflects the growing importance of fibre as essential infrastructure and the success of the company’s close collaboration with Internet service provider partners, who play a critical role in connecting and supporting customers on Vuma’s network.

The milestone reflects both depth in mature areas and increasing momentum across its broader footprint.

A significant portion of this growth has been driven by the rapid adoption of Vuma Reach services.

“Initially, much of our subscriber growth came from traditional core metropolitan areas and established suburbs within Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal,” Mare added.

Over the past few years, Vuma has seen strong growth from its rollout into Reach areas, providing much-needed uncapped, unrestricted broadband to previously underserved communities.

“The surge in adoption – especially within our Reach communities – proves that when you provide quality, affordable access, people seize the opportunity. We are not just building a network; we are building the backbone of a truly inclusive digital economy,” added Vuma chief commercial officer Simon Butler.

Mare continued that reaching one-million subscribers was not just a “corporate win”, but also a victory for digital equity.

“It represents one-million households empowered to work, learn and connect without limits. It is also about fuelling the work-from-home revolution and supporting thousands of local small and medium-sized enterprises in township economies, as well as providing students across the country with access to global knowledge hubs – helping to close the gap between established suburbs and developing areas.”