MOBILE INFRASTRUCTURE
Telkom focuses on urban areas in network push
The parastatal’s consumer business head says they will not ‘waste national resources’ on rural areas
Telkom has no plans to build mobile network infrastructure in sparsely populated rural areas since there is already sufficient capacity there, says Attila Vitai, the parastatal’s consumer business head. Its largest rivals, Vodacom and MTN, have spent vast sums on ensuring there is ubiquitous voice and data connectivity across SA. But Telkom, which has a 2G and 3G roaming agreement with MTN, believed it would be a "waste of national resources" if it were to add more towers in nonurban areas, Vitai said. MTN and Vodacom’s rural base stations were probably significantly underutilised. "It’s better that we use the infrastructure that’s already being deployed there than allowing our competitors to have underutilised infrastructure and then we compound the problem by building even more. It’s better for us to pay Vodacom or MTN [roaming fees] and it’s better for them." Vitai said Telkom had been "investing heavily" in its urban network, having built more than 1,000 new sites in the past ye...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.