YouTube and Vumatel have launched a joint pilot programme to equip 2 000 fibre-connected households with free Google TV streaming dongles, turning standard televisions into smart, connected entertainment hubs.

The initiative, launching in previously disadvantaged areas like Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, aims to advance digital inclusion in South African township homes by enabling affordable, high-speed fibre connectivity bundled with Smart TV streaming.

By pairing Vumatel’s affordable fibre infrastructure with YouTube’s content ecosystem and Google TV technology, the collaboration aims to empower families to learn, connect and entertain from the comfort of their homes — bridging the gap between connectivity and meaningful online participation.

“Enabling an easy-to-use, accessible Connected TV experience is key to driving digital literacy and content adoption. By bundling Google TV dongles with Vumatel's reliable and fast fibre, we are creating a seamless pathway for customers to enjoy the full range of our content, from education to entertainment, in a way that is affordable and sustainable for their households,” said YouTube Europe, Middle East and Africa product partnerships director Mahesh Bhalerao.

The partnership underscores Vumatel parent company Maziv Group’s broader mission of creating an inclusive, connected South Africa by extending the benefits of digital access to underserved communities.

“Our fibre-to-the-home model fundamentally disrupted the market by breaking the financial barriers to connectivity for households across South Africa,” said Maziv chief strategy and growth officer Zunaid Mahomed.

“The collaboration with YouTube and Google TV is a powerful extension of that mission — transforming access into empowerment. It completes the circle by enabling people not only to get connected, but to experience the full value of being connected: learning, earning and engaging through technology.”

“This pilot is an important step in upholding the platform’s mission to give everyone a voice and show them the world by ensuring that high-quality, relevant content – from educational resources to entertainment – is accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location,” YouTube global product partnerships MD Tony Archibong concluded.