Connecting the Disconnected
Maziv, backed by Vodacom, has announced a new phase of fibre network expansion designed to connect underserved rural and semi-urban areas. The project will link hundreds of base stations to high-capacity fibre backhaul, improving coverage and speed across South Africa.
For users in towns and rural districts, this could mean a leap from slow, congested mobile networks to reliable, high-throughput connectivity. Fibre also lays the groundwork for advanced digital services, from e-learning to fintech to small-business cloud tools.
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The Strategy Behind the Rollout
Maziv’s approach focuses on connecting telecom base stations first. These connections relieve strain on existing microwave backhaul networks, improving mobile network performance and enabling 5G deployment. Once these backbone routes are operational, the same fibre corridors can be extended to homes and businesses.
Challenges and Opportunities
The costs of trenching, permissions, and terrain management remain high. But fibre expansion is a long-term investment that can unlock wider digital economies. Every kilometre of cable laid in a rural zone enables future infrastructure growth.
Why It Matters
Rural South Africans have historically been left behind in the digital economy. Affordable, reliable fibre changes that story. It allows local entrepreneurs to participate in national e-commerce platforms and students to study online without relying on unstable mobile signals.
Maziv’s fibre project shows how private telecom investment can align with national digital-inclusion goals. It is another step toward a more connected South Africa where high-speed access is no longer a luxury, but a baseline.
