Cell C will switch on its next-generation broadband mobile network in Johannesburg and Pretoria next week, the network operator has confirmed. It will launch the network next Wednesday, 17 November, in the country’s most populous region.

Media have been invited to an event in Sandton next Wednesday morning at which CEO Lars Reichelt is expected to launch the network.

Cell C has slowly rolled out its network around the country, starting in the smaller centres. Reichelt has said that deploying the network in Gauteng has thrown up a number of technical challenges.

The company is “refarming” — or redeploying — a portion of its radio frequency spectrum in the 900MHz band for use by its third-generation (3G) network. Cell C regards its use of the 900MHz band for 3G as a big competitive advantage over bigger rivals MTN and Vodacom.

Among other things, the lower frequency means better indoor coverage for broadband signals.

MTN and Vodacom can’t refarm their 900MHz spectrum as easily as Cell C as they have more subscribers using that spectrum for voice telephony.

Meanwhile, Cell C has announced that it has launched its 3G network in Richards Bay and Witbank. It’s already launched it in Cape Town, Durban, George, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, East London, Nelspruit and Pietermaritzburg. — Staff reporter, TechCentral