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Vodacom has become the first mobile operator in South Africa to successfully complete a native voice call over its 5G network using Voice over New Radio (VoNR) technology. Conducted on its test platform, the achievement is a major milestone towards integrating voice services directly into its commercial 5G network.
The trial was powered by Vodacom’s advanced Single Packet Core (SPC) platform, which enables smooth operation of cloud-native applications, supports virtualized network functions, and integrates different network technologies. The process involved upgrading several network components and coordinating multiple cloud-based systems to enable voice calling without relying on legacy 3G or 4G networks.
Beverly Ngwenya, Vodacom South Africa’s Technology Director, described the test as proof of the company’s ongoing dedication to pushing innovation in connectivity. She emphasized that, in a time dominated by AI, automation, and data-heavy applications, robust and high-speed networks are crucial for both economic growth and societal progress.
This latest step follows Vodacom’s 2014 launch of Voice over LTE (VoLTE), also a South African first, which enhanced call quality and connection times compared to older voice networks. The move to 5G voice is expected to bring further improvements, including quicker call setup, ultra-HD voice clarity, and less background noise.
Industry experts note that Vodacom’s development aligns South Africa with global trends, as operators in regions like Europe, North America, and Asia increasingly deploy VoNR. This advancement is viewed as key to building a comprehensive 5G ecosystem capable of supporting advanced services such as AR meetings, real-time emergency communication, and industrial IoT.
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Though the current success was achieved in a test setting, Vodacom says it lays the groundwork for future commercial rollout. The company sees these innovations as vital to South Africa’s digital transformation goals, aiming to improve connectivity, service quality, and support for a tech-driven economy.
