South Africa’s Telecommunications Space. 100% mobile coverage, 90% home broadband deficit

South Africa is arguably the biggest telecoms market in Southern Africa. It has the biggest population and enjoys a coastline spanning the east, south, and west of the continent, strategically well-positioned to access connectivity through undersea optic cables from continents to the western and eastern sides of Africa

Mobile Network Space

South Africa has 4 main mobile operators. Vodacom is the biggest operator with a 43% market share. MTN is second with 26%, Telkom is third with 23% and Cell C is fourth with 8%. Mobile subscriptions stood at 106 million in 2022, an increase of 3.25% from 103 million in 2021 and up from 91.7 million in 2018. About 70% of mobile subscribers are smartphone users.

National population coverage for 3G stands at 100%. 4G population coverage sits at 98% with 5G population coverage at 20% up from 7.5% in 2021. The South African Government, under the 'Proposed next-generation radio frequency spectrum policy for economic development', is planning on decommissioning 2G technology by 30 June 2024 and 3G technology by 30 March 2025, leaving only 4G and 5G networks.

1.1 Sunset of 2G Network
The following section provides preliminary dates for sunset of 2G Networks
(a) The prohibition of the licensing of 2G devices – 30 June 2023
(b) Prohibit of new connections or activation of 2G devices on networks - 31
December 2023
(c) Shutdown of 2G services - 31 March 2024
(d) Shutdown of 2G network - 30 June 2024

1.2 Sunset of 3G Network
The following section provides preliminary dates for sunset of 3G Networks
(a) The prohibition of the licensing of 3G devices - 31 March 2024
(b) Prohibition of connections or activation of 3G on networks – 30 September 2024
(c) Shutdown of 3G services – 31 December 2024
(d) Shutdown of 3G network – 30 March 2025

Government of South Africa