Vodacom Eastern Cape has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating connectivity to serve the needs of local communities through a targeted series of network upgrades in the Addo region and along the R335, which connects Nelson Mandela Bay to KwaNojoli (Somerset East). Prompted by a surge in truck hijackings on the Addo Road in Motherwell, Vodacom was approached by the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber to investigate coverage gaps on this route.
Weak reception was repeatedly reported as a contributor to the area’s status as a crime hotspot, with the inability to call for help in critical moments turning connectivity into a matter of public safety. In addition, while tracking systems offer some support, they often fail to transmit data reliably in low-network areas, leaving businesses and drivers vulnerable.
To address the issue, Vodacom has successfully completed upgrades to 11 base station sites in Addo in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality and along the R335. Since the infrastructure improvements, mobile coverage in the area has increased by 10%, while network capacity has grown by 15%, ensuring reliable access to connectivity when it is needed most. Cellphone signal has improved significantly in key locations, including the Addo central business district, the local police station, farming areas, and the newly developed Addo Spar centre.
In its continued support of both the Addo community and local businesses, Vodacom Eastern Cape plans to improve connectivity in the area this financial year. This includes deploying high-power signal boosters within the next six months to close the remaining coverage gaps along the R335. Vodacom Eastern Cape also intends to roll out additional base stations to ensure full coverage of Addo’s central and surrounding areas, which will increase access to emergency and essential services and help to bridge the digital divide in underserved populations.
These upgrades form part of Vodacom Eastern Cape’s broader commitment to drive digital inclusion through network modernisation. In the past financial year, Vodacom invested more than R500 million in improving network infrastructure, expanding broadband access, and rolling out renewable energy solutions, particularly in townships and deep rural areas in the province. This brings its total investment across the Eastern Cape to over R1 billion in the last two years, testament to Vodacom’s vision to deliver quality connectivity to all South Africans.
Zakhele Jiyane, Managing Executive, Vodacom Eastern Cape
With stronger mobile networks, communities become better equipped to prevent and respond to crime, and local businesses gain more reliable access to digital tools and markets. For farmers, families, truck drivers, and police officers in the Addo area, our infrastructure upgrades have enhanced communication, security, livelihoods, and peace of mind.
