Johannesburg - South Africa’s biggest mobile network Vodacom [JSE:VOD] says it has installed a 4G+ network in underground tunnels along Gauteng’s Gautrain routes.
The move means that 4G and 4G+ coverage is available at Gautrain stations at Rosebank, Sandton, Marlboro and Midrand stations with speeds of in excess of 100Mbps.
Vodacom said the next phase of the project is to enhance coverage along the track between Marlboro and OR Tambo International Airport as well as between Marlboro and Pretoria.
The move to boost underground coverage comes after Vodacom earlier this year enabled 4G+ service at Gautrain Station platforms in Sandton, Rosebank and Park Station in addition to the 2G, 3G and 4G coverage first deployed at these stations in 2015.
To provide underground coverage at these stations, Vodacom said that it used distributed antenna systems located throughout the three stations.Each of these systems is connected via fibre-optic cable to network equipment located in Rosebank, the company said.
“Greater access to spectrum will enable Vodacom to undertake more initiatives of this nature while also extending broadband coverage to the remotest parts of our country,” said Andries Delport, Vodacom Group Chief Technology Officer.“South Africans want faster speeds, wider coverage and lower prices which is why it is so important to secure access to additional spectrum in South Africa,” Delport said.