• MTN GigZone is a newly launched solution aimed at giving customers internet access in underserved areas.
• GigZone is being deployed in selected locations in Soweto and Gugulethu for now.
• Access GigZone will require dialling a UUSD number and cost R5 to access the service.

MTN has announced the launch of an interesting sounding solution called GigZone, which is designed to assist the network‘s customers should they live in, or are making their way through, an underserved region.

More specifically, MTN GigZone offers 24-hour internet access to customers for R5.

At the time of writing, there is no mention of what level of connectivity will be offered, nor if there will be any kind of fair usage cap applied.

MTN GigZone will be rolled out in phases across selected townships, with the network actively testing a solution that provides “fast and uninterrupted connectivity”.

“This initiative is driven by real customer needs, acknowledging that current internet services often struggle with buffering and inconsistency,” it added in a release to Hypertext.

“This initiative is more than just the launch of a new service; it’s about working together with communities to improve and expand digital access. It will create new opportunities for our customers, enabling them to access educational content, search for jobs, and browse the internet on South Africa’s best network, all for just R5,” explained Seun Soladoye (pictured above), MTN SA GM for Consumer Prepaid.

MTN GigZone is currently being deployed in selected locations in Soweto and Gugulethu, although there is no mention of which locations within the massive townships this solution will be made available.

MTN says customers can activate GigZone by dialing the USSD code *136*36# when in an active area.

When moving outside of a coverage area, data usage will automatically revert to standard rates, which the network says will ensure a “hassle-free experience”, but there is no indication of whether another R5 fee will be applied should users try to reconnect within the 24-hour period.

While those could indeed prove a very handy solution, there are still a few questions we need answered before MTN begins rolling out to more townships across the country.

“At MTN, we believe that no community should be left behind in the digital era. MTN GigZone is our commitment to making affordable, high-quality internet accessible to all. This is just the beginning, and through continued collaboration and customer feedback, we will refine, expand, and enhance this initiative to serve even more communities across the country,” concluded Soladoye.

[Image – Provided]