The network will reportedly cover key metropolitan areas of South Africa such as Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, and Cell C has signed supply agreements with both Huawei and ZTE for the roll-out.
“Our LTE strategy will be focussed and strategic, targeting metropolitan areas where people work and live,” said Jose Dos Santos, CEO at Cell C.
“The primary commuting areas that fall outside the major metros will remain covered by HSPA+.”
The roll-out forms part of Cell C’s existing network investment strategy – earlier this year the operator pledged R2.4 billion towards network expansion in the country – and will see the deployment of 4,000 base transceiver stations.
“An additional 1,353 3G sites are planned across the country over the next few years to ensure that Cell C stays above the curve,” the company said in a statement.
“Additional projects are also underway in various provinces to enhance network quality and stability.”