MTN National Wholesale is standing tall as the industry’s go-to network “backbone” partner at a time when public and private sectors are prioritizing network and digital ICT tools in their economic reconstruction and recoveries.
In line with the company’s Ambition 2025 strategy, particularly around the pillar of Network as a Service, MTN aims to become the number one digital network and service provider of choice to the wholesale market in South Africa by 2025. To this end, MTN National Wholesale is ramping up the number of innovative enablement solutions it can deliver at speed and with added cost and efficiency benefits.
“Our aim is to create shared value by placing our partners at the centre of all we do. The recent success of the Cell C transition is a perfect example of this value creation in action as we continue to build and grow our presence aggressively in a market crying out for a trusted, innovative, and cost-efficient partner,” says MTN SA Wholesale Executive, Quintus de Beer.
To this end, Cell C recently announced that it had brought forward the completion of the transition of its network operations to its new operating model. This network transition involves the de-activation of Cell C’s own physical radio infrastructure and moving to a virtualised radio access network hosted by MTN, eliminating the need for costly investment and the operational management of physical towers and network sites by Cell C.
“Everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life and we are providing a proven, quality digital network and affordable mobile and network solutions. Added to this is evolving expertise in the latest network and technologies and solutions that are aimed at improving the overall broadband experience.
“This is why MTN National Wholesale is a trusted connectivity partner for South African businesses and households, and the network and partner of choice that connects other networks (like, Cell C, Telkom and Liquid),” says de Beer.
This comes as the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) market in South Africa matures fast and creates enhanced value and entry points. MVNOs do not own the wireless network infrastructure over which they provide services but can gain major market share due to added agility and speed once they gain access to network services at wholesale rates.
According to the MVNO Market Report by BMIT, the collective market share of MVNOs will double in the next two to three years and account for 10-12% of mobile subscribers in five years. MTN is at the forefront of this surge and an early adopter of this exciting opportunity to broaden access to the digital world for more people.
For MTN the key is to help change lives by bringing mobile services to a diverse group of customers, especially previously underserviced communities and individuals.
“The bigger, broader market this model creates is good for everyone as it helps users get access to the digital solutions they need, while helping prospective MVNOs to gain a share of selected target markets and boost job creation, which will ultimately contribute to the growth of the entire digital economy. This is truly a virtuous cycle in action and is extremely healthy for our sector, economy and will help improve lives and livelihoods.
MVNOs therefore form a big part of our wholesale partner proposition and aligns with ICASA’s ambitions of introducing smaller players into the sector,” says de Beer.
To achieve its goals over the next two years MTN is driving connectivity through an array of connectivity value propositions that enable work and play.
“Our products and services utilise MTN’s leading network infrastructure, and we are continuously investing in new infrastructure to extend our network coverage,” he adds.
“MTN National Wholesale is open for business for small and large players. We are committed to ensure more people gain enhanced access to the digital world in 2023 and beyond. Immense strides are being made and if we all work together, the only way is up,” concludes de Beer.
