KwaZulu-Natal to Boost Rural Connectivity with 5G Expansion

(The Post News)- The KwaZulu-Natal government has announced plans to expand 5G internet access to rural areas. The project aims to boost connectivity as part of a broader digital inclusion strategy. Several questions arise regarding the plan to roll out 5G connectivity.

Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli, took to the public to announce the public-private collaboration with Vodacom, led by MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, in a media briefing. The plan includes the installation of about 108 towers across several rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal. However, Vodacom made it clear that the project will initially begin with 4G connectivity, with further plans to gradually improve the capability of the environment to administer 5G coverage.

The Premier, Thami Ntuli, explains in an interview that “the project will enable the youth in rural communities to have access to emergency services such as police stations to report when a crime is taking place, ambulance services, and even educational platforms… participating in economic opportunities, job opportunities because most jobs are now advertised on internet platforms.” Ntuli mentions that the project aims to address social progress matters. He expresses that the reconstruction of the KwaZulu-Natal province would require collaboration from different stakeholders. He has proceeded to mention the stakeholders already involved in the project, such as Vodacom, Ingonyama Trust, and amakhosi, while further planning to involve other entities like Eskom.

To oversee the infrastructure aspect of the 5G rollout, a meeting will be held to address logistics, and an agreement has also been reached to establish a council on infrastructure development in KwaZulu-Natal. The council will assist in monitoring the construction and ongoing maintenance of the new digital infrastructure.