Vodacom has the highest average 5G download speed in South Africa, according to the latest test data from MyBroadband Insights.
The research firm measured an average download speed of 260.12Mbps on the Vodacom 5G network. The average upload speed was 26.02Mbps.
MTN had the next highest average 5G download speed at 175.79Mbps, MyBroadband reported. That put Vodacom about 84Mbps ahead of its closest rival.
“As demand for mobile data continues to grow, we need to continuously evolve our network,” said Beverly Ngwenya, Technology Director at Vodacom South Africa.
“Innovations like this allow us to enhance our network in smarter and more efficient ways, ensuring it is ready to support customers’ changing connectivity needs,” Ngwenya said.
Vodacom said in its latest annual report that it deployed more 5G sites than 4G sites across the group over the past year. The company spent R11.9 billion on capital investment in the past financial year. It said a large part of that money went to growing its 5G footprint.
The work included a partnership with Nokia. Vodacom said it deployed new MIMO radio technology with Nokia to help its 5G expansion.
“The solution is live on selected sites and is being rolled out more broadly, enabling accelerated 5G deployment with improved capital efficiency and lower operating expenditure over time,” Vodacom said.
Vodacom has also worked with Nokia to test an integrated passive-active massive MIMO system. MyBroadband reported that it was the first test of its kind in the world. The system lets Vodacom add capacity at sites that are limited by physical or structural problems.
MyBroadband Insights also tested the network outside the wealthier suburbs of the big cities. It said the Vodacom 5G network passed 1Gbps in real-world testing in Sebokeng, a Gauteng township south of Johannesburg. The test was done on a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphone.
Vodacom has confirmed that it will invest R600 million in network infrastructure and technology in Mpumalanga in the coming financial year. The company said the money will extend access to digital services in underserved rural, township and urban areas.
“Through our continued investment in Mpumalanga’s network infrastructure, we are ensuring that more communities can access the opportunities offered by the digital economy,” said Monde Ngcukana, Managing Executive for the Vodacom Mpumalanga region.
The new amount follows R620 million that Vodacom invested in network infrastructure in the province in the 2025/26 financial year. The company said it used that money to prioritise townships and deep rural areas.
Source: this article is based on reporting by MyBroadband. Image: MyBroadband. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Technology desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Werner Jacobs covers technology for Tzaneen Voice. Werner reports on mobile networks, data prices, internet access, smartphones, apps, AI, cybersecurity and South African tech companies. Each story explains what a new product, price change or policy means for ordinary users in South Africa.