हेलो,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here's what I've got for you today:
- MTN SA completes Africa’s first 5.5G trial
- MTN Uganda pulls solid 29.6% boost in earnings
- Telkom raids company over stolen customer data
MTN SA completes Africa’s first 5.5G trial
MTN South Africa, in partnership with Huawei, just wrapped up Africa's first 5.5G network trial at its headquarters in Johannesburg.
Known for pushing forward with 5G, MTN is now paving the way for 5.5G in Africa — a next-gen step that promises faster, smarter connections to help bring the continent into a new digital era.
This 5.5G tech trial was packed with some impressive features: 10-gigabit speed, more connections for IoT devices, lower latency, energy-efficient networks, and advanced autonomous systems for easier network management.
In real terms, that means internet speeds of up to 10 Gbps, ten times the current connection power for IoT, and a big drop in lag times — all while using a fraction of the energy.
MTN hit download speeds of 8.6 Gbps in their trial, bringing futuristic applications like 24K extended reality, holographic meetings, high-speed fixed wireless access, and enhanced private 5G networks closer to reality for businesses and consumers alike.
This trial was a joint effort, with MTN using Huawei’s high-tech antenna units, hybrid beamforming, and carrier aggregation tech to run the 5.5G network over the C-band and millimeter-wave spectrum.
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MTN’s CTO, Rami Farah, said this is more than just a tech achievement — it’s about providing South Africans with a more connected future.
Huawei’s Li Chen echoed that sentiment, emphasising how bringing advanced 5.5G tech to South Africa can help bridge the digital divide and drive the digital economy forward. Together, MTN and Huawei aim to make South Africa a leader in intelligent, high-speed connectivity.
MTN Uganda pulls solid 29.6% boost in earnings in 9 months
MTN Uganda just dropped its latest interim dividend report, and they’re making serious cash from voice, data, and mobile money services.
Even with that massive $70.89 million tax fight with Uganda’s revenue authority last month, MTN’s East African arm still pulled in a solid 29.6% boost in earnings, reaching $124.8 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2024.
Service revenue jumped 20.1%, although non-service revenue took a 14.5% dip. Voice and data revenue surged by 13.7% and 30.1%, respectively, with mobile money showing a huge 25.6% gain. The telco credits its growth to smart financing and a big subscriber boost, driven by expanding 4G and 5G services, as it works to redefine Uganda’s digital scene.
It’s not just Uganda that’s pulling in solid results — MTN’s other subsidiaries, like MTN Nigeria and MTN South Africa, are also showing strong numbers despite unique challenges.
MTN Nigeria, for instance, saw growth in data and mobile financial services, fueled by the country’s appetite for digital financial solutions and its massive subscriber base. However, Nigeria’s economic conditions, including currency issues, kept growth from skyrocketing. Even so, MTN Nigeria’s mobile money segment is thriving, solidifying its market edge.
In South Africa, MTN’s home base, there’s steady growth in both voice and data, helped along by a growing push into 5G and fintech. While South Africa’s economy is sluggish and inflation is high, MTN’s continued investments in digital services and network infrastructure keep it going strong. The rise of mobile payments here also shows that more people are opting for digital solutions over traditional banking.
In short, while MTN Uganda, Nigeria, and South Africa are all seeing growth, each market’s local dynamics make things interesting. Uganda’s rapid adoption of mobile money and increased connectivity drives its growth, while Nigeria’s heavy demand for data and digital payments keeps it competitive, though regulatory challenges add friction. South Africa, on the other hand, benefits from an advanced market but faces a slower economy, which tempers growth.
Telkom raids company over stolen customer data
Telkom recently took action with a search-and-seizure raid on a third-party company in Johannesburg and the home of one of its franchisee employees.
The raid followed allegations that this third-party firm had illegally accessed customer data in September, aiming to lure clients away from Telkom.
The whole investigation kicked off when a whistleblower tipped off Telkom about potential data misuse. It turns out the franchisee employee allegedly leaked customer data to this company, which investigators suspect was used to poach Telkom’s clients.
Luckily, there’s no indication of any financial loss for customers. However, Telkom immediately notified affected customers and alerted South Africa’s Information Regulator, as required by law, while also filing a criminal complaint with the Hawks.
To avoid future breaches, Telkom said it’s ramping up security measures. Data security issues like this aren’t new in South Africa, which Allianz recently ranked 14th globally in terms of cyberattacks.
For example, back in 2020, credit bureau Experian suffered a major breach when Karabo Phungula fraudulently accessed data on 24 million South Africans. This case highlights the risks organisations face if cybersecurity isn't tight, especially with ransomware attacks and data theft becoming more common.
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Have a great Thursday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
