South African operator MTN has announced plans to invest some $11.8 million in network expansion in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province.
According to the CAJ News website, MTN will be expanding both its LTE and its 5G networks in the Eastern Cape province.
The hope is that the additional investment will allow the mobile operator to grow its LTE footprint to close to 93 percent by the end of 2021.
MTN currently provides coverage to over 98 percent of the population in the province; over 87 percent of the population already have LTE coverage.
While the short-term aim is to ensure improved connection and data speed in areas that might have had problems with connectivity in the past, the longer-term strategic intent includes network modernization, network resilience, building new sites and 5G expansion.
The investment will involve the building of new LTE sites in districts such as Joe Gqabi District, OR Tambo District and Amathole District. It will also involve expanding 5G in Gqeberha and East London.
In addition, key partnerships are planned with local government and municipality partners. These will, it is hoped, boost ongoing support for children and for education facilities in the region.