MTN Installs 2 527 5G Sites Across Its markets

MTN announced today that it has rolled out over 2 500 5G sites across its markets, mainly in South Africa and Nigeria.

“In 2022, we rolled out 1 570 5G sites, mainly in South Africa and Nigeria, bringing our total number of 5G sites to 2 527,” Ralph Mupita revealed in MTN Group’s intergrated annual report.

“We increased smartphone penetration to 58.0% of our customer base (up 3.8pp), as we continued our push for greater digital and financial inclusion.”

MTN is rolling out 5G after winning spectrum in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) auction.

Additional spectrum is expected to be released in the short term.

After winning 100MHz spectrum for 5G in an auction, MTN became the first operator to launch 5G in Nigeria in 2022.

“We are targeting 10% 5G population coverage by end-2023. The other spectrum winner is yet to launch its network.”

In order to manage network risks and expenditure, MTN engaged with its towerco partners.

“Our focus is on ensuring terms that will allow us to cushion the impacts of inflationary and foreign
currency volatility as well as optimise arrangements around power to promote delivery of MTN’s Net Zero emissions commitment.”

MTN GlobalConnect (MTN GC), which drives FibreCo ambitions, continued to scale its fixed connectivity and
wholesale mobility services.

It rolled out 5 157km of new fibre in 2022, bringing our total inventory to more than 105 157km of proprietary fibre and comparing well with 2025 target of 135 000km.

MTN GC formed a strategic pan-African connectivity partnership with Microsoft.

“This partnership will see MTN GC provide access to large-scale infrastructure services that will build capacity for Microsoft to drive digital transformation and enable a connected African continent. Overall in 2022, MTN GC
signed fixed external infrastructure deals valued at $90.8 million.”