MTN SA CEO Godfrey Motsa says that the mobile operator plans to expand its 4G coverage across the country, having already invested over R33 billion to improve network capacity over the past three years.<\/p>\n
The network has ramped up the number of physical network sites from 6,900 in 2011 to 11,199 in 2017. During the same period, MTN increased the number of 3G sites from 4,750 sites to 10,426, while LTE sites were augmented from 325 to 7,724 sites for the same period.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn our bid to bring connectivity to all South Africans, and meet government\u2019s 2020 ICT Vision, every MTN 2G site, which covers over 99% of the population, will have 3G coverage, and every 3G site will have 4G capability by the end of 2018.\u00a0 This will assist in leveling the playing field for all.<\/p>\n
“We continue to subsidise smart devices to facilitate access to the internet by customers who are least able to afford it. Our substantial infrastructure investment has delivered the very best network for our customers and we continue reducing our pricing,\u201d Motsa said at the MyBroadband Conference on Thursday.<\/p>\n
While acknowledging that some strides have been made in facilitating access to high frequency spectrum, he said that more needs to be done by the regulators to speed up the allocation of the 2600MHz frequency band.<\/p>\n
\u201c1GB of data can cost R50 tomorrow<\/span> if the currently dormant 2600MHz spectrum is released immediately. Data prices will also drop in bigger quantums if this is made available,\u201d said Motsa.<\/p>\n He added that the mobile industry cannot continue to subsidise the spectrum crunch, which negatively impacts on the poorest members of society.<\/p>\n He stressed that the democratisation of the internet, which includes improved coverage, reduced prices, relevant digital content, and enhanced customer experience, should not be the sole burden of mobile operators.<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot do this alone. The implementation of a well-considered and reasonable policy and regulation framework is the stimulus that will ignite the further dynamic development of the South African telecommunications space. Our commitment is to continue to lead from the front \u2013 working to serve our customers to meet their unique needs,\u201d said Motsa.<\/p>\n Regarding future prospects for MTN customers, Motsa said that MTN will be introducing exciting propositions in the data space before the end of 2017.<\/p>\n
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