Vodacom is testing tower technology intended to improve its 4G and 5G networks, according to MyBroadband. The operator is running trials aimed at getting more capacity out of its existing mobile sites, TechCentral reports.
The work focuses on congested or space-limited locations, where adding capacity is difficult. According to TechCentral, Vodacom is seeking to extract more 4G and 5G capacity from these cramped sites rather than build new ones.
htxt.co.za describes the effort as a world-first trial with potential benefits for local 4G and 5G connectivity. The three outlets reported on the development on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.
The reports indicate the trials are still at the testing stage, with Vodacom evaluating how the tower technology performs. No results, timelines or commercial rollout plans were disclosed in the available reporting.
The context here is capacity pressure. Mobile operators in South Africa face growing demand for data on their 4G and 5G networks, and sites in dense or constrained areas are often the hardest to upgrade. Technology that raises capacity at existing towers could ease that pressure without the delays and cost of acquiring new sites.
What to watch next: whether Vodacom publishes trial results and confirms plans to deploy the technology across its network.
