In its continued drive towards connectivity, MTN South Africa has reached a remarkable milestone in Limpopo, achieving an unprecedented 98% network availability. This achievement is a testament to MTN’s ongoing modernisation efforts, propelling more South Africans into the digital era.
Through this modernisation drive, previously unconnected areas in Limpopo are now buzzing with digital life. Eleven rural sites in remote villages, like Waterberg and Ka-Mushiyani in the Greater Giyani region, are now seamlessly linked to MTN’s robust network infrastructure. This transformation opens doors to a world of digital opportunities—from online banking and education to staying updated with news and enjoying entertainment.
MTN’s commitment extends beyond achieving record-breaking numbers. Their vision includes bridging the digital divide by expanding network coverage to underserved communities. By 2025, MTN aims to blanket 95% of Limpopo with broadband coverage, ensuring every community is included in the digital revolution.
Isaac Monama, Acting Regional General Manager at MTN SA, emphasises the strategic focus on enhancing network resilience. The recent completion of the 2024 resilience plan ensures that all sites are equipped with power backup systems, minimising network disruptions during load shedding and power outages. This strategic initiative improves connectivity and enhances security for rural and farming communities, especially during challenging power supply situations.
Monama highlights that MTN’s efforts are paying off, with significant improvements in network availability and speed across towns like Polokwane, Giyani, and Tzaneen. The results speak volumes—an impressive 27.18% increase in overall network availability since the resilience program’s inception. Even under stage 4 load shedding conditions, resilient sites maintain network availability above 97%.
MTN’s technological prowess is evident in its deployment of 5G sites, 56 of which were activated in 2023, and plans for an additional 60 in 2024. This forward-looking approach ensures that Limpopo stays at the forefront of digital innovation. Moreover, 4G coverage stands strong at 99.41%, promising fast and reliable connectivity for users across the province.
MTN’s dedication to excellence is validated by independent assessments. MyBroadband Insights’ Mobile Network Quality Report for the first quarter of 2024 crowned MTN as the industry leader. With an Average Call Setup Success Ratio of 99.20% and an impressively low Dropped Call Ratio of only 0.19%, MTN surpasses industry benchmarks set by ICASA.
As Monama aptly concludes, technology has the power to transform lives and drive economic growth. MTN’s relentless pursuit of connectivity is not just about networks; it’s about empowering communities and creating opportunities. In the vibrant landscape of Limpopo, MTN’s network resilience is a beacon of progress, illuminating pathways to a brighter digital future for all.
While challenges like theft and vandalism at sites persist, MTN remains committed to combatting these issues with collective efforts and community support. Monama stresses the importance of vigilance and proactive reporting to ensure uninterrupted connectivity.
Criminals have continued to use the cover of darkness during outages as an opportunity to strike, but our fightback, with the support of our communities, has been strong. We ask that you continue to support us in this drive by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity by calling 083 123 7867 or emailing anonymous@tipoffs.com. We are stronger together!
