High levels of load shedding puts strain on mobile operators

As the country continues to suffer from exacerbated load shedding, the deliberate power cuts have a significantly negative impact on South Africa’s mobile network operators.

Although the industry has proactively spent billions of rand in backup power solutions for network stability and continuity, customers are increasingly becoming frustrated when they experience a drop in network performance during higher levels of load shedding.

This is largely unavoidable when power generation capacity is reduced to Stage 4 and beyond the network provider said.  

Billions on power backups

Speaking in his capacity as Chairperson of the recently launched Association of Communications & Technology (ACT), Shameel Joosub said South Africa’s power crisis continues to add pressure to an already fragile economy.

“In a power certain market, the massive amounts spent by network operators on the likes of batteries, generators and diesel would be channelled into programmes that deliver significantly better value to customers in the long term rather than simply keeping their networks running.”

“For instance, these funds would have been better spent addressing the digital divide by accelerating rural coverage across the country and assisting customers that are battling to make ends meet because of the rising inflationary pressures,” he said.

Frustration

Joosub, who is also Chief Executive Officer of Vodacom Group said when the power goes down, many people turn to their devices to study, to work or to be entertained.

“When they don’t get the level of service to which they are accustomed when there is no load shedding, customers then turn to call centres and social media in frustration.”  

In mitigating the effects of load shedding for customers, networks are deploying 24-hour technician teams dedicated to monitoring and restoring power at sites and utilising logistics to secure mobile generators on site.

In addition, tighter security and surveillance measures have been implemented by network operators to protect sites from both battery and generator theft and vandalism, which exacerbate any downtime issues.

Connectivity

Joosub added that connectivity is critical for sustainable technology and development as a nation.

“We need to work together as public and private sectors to find solutions to South Africa’s national power crisis. We also appreciate the progress made on the wheeling framework seeking to encourage independent energy generation to use existing distribution or transmission networks.”

Nomvuyiso Batyi, CEO of ACT, the effects of load shedding are far-reaching and will ultimately hinder any progress on inclusive digital transformation in the country and exacerbate the digital divide that exists.

“ACT has been engaging with pertinent stakeholders including the National Government through the National Department of Mineral Resource and Energy (DMRE), the Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities (AMEU), regulators such as NERSA and Eskom to ensure that South Africa finds sustainable countermeasures to the impact of load shedding experienced by all,” he said.

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