Vodacom Group's investments in additional spectrum in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, and Tanzania, as well as an increase in 4G sites across the portfolio, boosted the company's performance during the June quarter.

The telecom group, headquartered in South Africa and with operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Tanzania, provided shareholders with an update on its quarterly results today.

Group CEO Shameel Joosub said across Vodacom's international business, "our investments in new spectrum in DRC, Mozambique, and Tanzania, as well as a 19.7% increase in 4G sites across the portfolio, are evident in the 5.7% normalised growth in service revenue to $402 million (R7.4 billion)."

According to Joosub, the DRC experienced high single-digit US dollar growth, and Tanzania continued to generate great local currency performance, while normalised M-Pesa and data revenue growth was strong at 10.9% and 15.5%, respectively.

He added: “Our International business customer base reached 55.0 million, up 6.4%, supported by strong commercial execution and a further R1.1 billion network investment in the quarter.

“Data traffic grew by 29.6% while smartphone users were up 0.5 million in the quarter to reach 16.4 million as we look to accelerate smartphone penetration with innovative financing options, including a new daily repayment model.”

In terms of mergers and acquisitions, Joosub reported that the Competition Tribunal is considering the proposed acquisition of a joint control stake in South African fibre operator Maziv.

“We firmly believe that this transaction will accelerate fibre reach in South Africa, fostering economic development and helping bridge South Africa’s digital divide,” he said.