MTN said it has worked hard to ensure that its network can handle the anticipated increase in voice and data traffic over the festive season in South Africa.

The mobile network operator issued a statement confirming its focus its network optimisation on 'high density areas and tourist hotspots', including coastal towns.

"Operations are underway to cater for additional coverage and capacity requirements in selected hotspots. The areas that have been identified for network optimisation are major routes including the N1 which connects Cape Town and the Limpopo, the N3 which links Gauteng and Durban, the N12 which connects Johannesburg and the Garden Route, the N2 which links Cape Town and Durban, the N4 which joins Pretoria and Mozambique and the N7 which is the artery between Cape Town and Namibia," the company stated.

Giovanni Chiarelli, Chief Technology and Information Officer: MTN SA, said: "We have embarked on a multi-pronged network optimisation drive to improve network capacity and quality in key nodes in order to ensure that our customers enjoy seamless network experience. We will be working very closely with our vendor partners to monitor network performance around the clock in near real time, and senior management and regional staff will be on standby to attend to any technical issues that may arise."

According to MTN, the network optimisation will also entail the deployment of new base stations and technology upgrades on selected 3G and LTE stations.

"MTN will also keep track of its network performance on Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day when demand is expected to peak. Where required, MTN will deploy mobile base stations in cases where demand exceeds capacity."

MTN SA said it has embarked on a network modernisation programme which includes upgrading of radio and transmission infrastructure to cater for current and future capacity requirements.

The company claims to have invested over R10-billion "to improve network quality and capacity."