Johannesburg - South Africa's third mobile operator Cell C on Wednesday announced the launch of its next generation all IP HSPA+ 900 network in Bloemfontein.
The network is capable of data speeds up to 21.6Mbps in Bloemfontein, with city averages between 4 and 6Mbps, and in many locations in excess of 10Mbps, it said.
It follows the recent Port Elizabeth launch, as part of the company's nationwide 4GS network rollout.
The high-speed network, dubbed 4GS - 4 Great Speed and 4 Great Service - uses Multi Standard Radio (MSR) technology to support the HSPA+ 900 MHz network.
To date, Cell C has deployed 1 600 HSPA+ 900 sites and large-scale user tests are being run in nine major cities.
The first phase of the 4GS network rollout, set for completion by the end of 2010, will cover approximately 34% of the South African population, with the network being launched on a city-by-city basis.
The mobile operator said it would continue to expand its network rollout and aims to cover 67% of the population by mid 2011.
Cell C's deputy CEO Nigel Hall said the first phase of the Bloemfontein network rollout was complete with around 50% of the city's population covered.
The second phase, set for completion by the end of this year, will provide around 99% population coverage in the city, he said.