Cell C takes broadband rural

Broadband comes to a remote community in Limpopo province today.

Community members of Mafefe and Ga-Mampa together with government officials and the industry regulator, are celebrating the arrival of broadband connectivity in their area.

Cell C is the first mobile operator to erect a base station in Ga-Mampa, which was previously detached from the country’s mobile communications grid. Under the traditional leadership of Kgo≈°i Setlamorago Thobejane, these two communities with a population of just over 11,000 [Census 2001] will now enjoy access to voice and broadband services through Cell C’s HSPA+ network. The people of Ga-Mampa and Mafefe will no longer have to walk long distances to make calls or buy airtime.

‚”We remain committed to bringing connectivity to all areas of South Africa including the country’s most remote area such as Mafefe and Ga-Mampa,‚” says Alan Knott-Craig, Cell C CEO.

He said it must be recognised that through a communication enabler such as mobile telecommunications, local communities will be able to connect with the rest of the world including participating in local activities through other communications modes such as community radio, TV and related.

‚”This is part of Cell C infrastructure expansion and job creation programme not only targeted in Limpopo but also among other Provinces. Through partnership with government and other stakeholders we are determined that together we can do more,‚” he said.

In addition to extending its footprint and access to broadband services, Cell C is also at the forefront of making communications affordable.

‚”We have revised our entire product portfolio in the last three months to ensure, simplicity, affordability and complete transparency for customers. We offer the lowest guaranteed rate for anywhere, anytime calling. Our customers can make calls at an unrivaled 99c per minute, on per second billing to any network in South Africa and to 50 countries abroad. We have also slashed our data prices to an unprecedented 15c/MB for in and out-of-bundle usage across our data portfolio,‚” adds Knott-Craig.

‚”We remain committed to government’s plan to bring 100% broadband coverage to South Africa by 2020. We are already two thirds there with our own network and plan to have completed the 100% coverage mark well in advance of government’s deadline.‚” Said Knott-Craig.

The day will be celebrated by high profile individuals including members from the Limpopo Provincial Government and senior officials from the Capricorn District and Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality, the Chairperson of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), Dr. Stephen Mncube, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications (PCC), Honourable Eric Kholwane, MP, several industry leaders including local chiefs and other traditional leaders.

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