Long term evolution (LTE, commonly known as 4G) is a next generation network that boasts the ability to operate at speeds of up to three times faster than 3G technology. 

After rolling out LTE in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban, this next generation network has now become available to the firm’s Cape Town subscribers in the CBD (central business district), Stellenbosch, Atlantic Seaboard (including Camps Bay), the V&A Waterfront as well as Century City. Additional sites are planned for early next year.

Vodacom stocks a number of LTE devices, available from selected stores across Gauteng, KZN and Cape Town. All these devices will automatically switch to the 3G network when LTE coverage is not available. The LTE service is currently available to Vodacom Contract customers and will become available to Top-up as well as Prepaid customers in 2013. To make use of this service clients need to have either a 64K or 128K SIM card.

For more information on the LTE coverage map and list of stores, customers can visit www.vodacom.co.za/lte or phone the operator’s customer care on 111 free from a Vodacom phone or 082 111 from any other phone.

Vodacom’s chief technology officer Andries Delport said: “I’m pleased to say that we’ve also managed to bring LTE to Cape Town several weeks ahead of schedule and in time for the holiday season.”

“In the six months to September we invested R3.2 billion in our network in South Africa. One of the big focus areas has been providing high speed links to our base stations, which we’ve now completed at more than 5 000 sites to support both LTE and faster 3G connections. Our clear goal is to ensure that Vodacom maintains its lead with the best network experience and widest coverage,” Delport concluded.

In related news, Vodacom also recently launched a Global Data Service Platform to help companies deploy and manage large, wireless Machine to Machine (M2M) projects. The new platform will be supported by a local team backed by Vodafone’s global M2M business unit.