MTN achieves record 98% network availability in Mpumalanga as modernisation drive kicks into high gear

MTN SA’s nationwide modernisation programme continues to drive access to the connected world for more South Africans. In Mpumalanga, network sites with resilience are now achieving a record 98.33% network availability daily– as MTN’s modernisation drive kicks into high gear.

The daily lives of communities continue to be improved as a result. For instance, three rural sites in remote villages in the region that never had network connectivity at all have now connected to MTN’s network, ensuring they can access world of digital opportunities, from banking, to education, news and entertainment. The initiative has included villages such as Mooiplaas in the Lowveld.

MTN is committed to expanding its network to underserved communities and aims to achieve 95% broadband coverage by 2025.

“We are working on building four new sites in Mpumalanga and enhancing 57 sites through modernisation, layer upgrades and sectorisation to further expand coverage in the province,” says Isaac Monama, Acting Regional General Manager at MTN SA.

He says that rural and farming communities have benefited greatly in terms of connectivity and security as the network availability has been enhanced during loadshedding and power outages periods.

“Uncovered communities – predominantly rural and sparsely populated – are our key focus right now and I’m pleased that we are making significant progress in closing these access gaps in the region,” says Monama.

The 2024 resilience plan was to ensure all sites are completed with power backup in the form of batteries or hybrid generators on hub sites to minimise network unavailability during load shedding, load reduction, and extended power failures. This resilience project was completed in Q1 2024.

As an example, the Lowveld is now achieving 99.37% availability. The rollout in the region and across SA has led to improved throughput and availability, reduced drop call rates and increased data volumes.

“This is because a resilient network can respond and recover quickly to enable operational continuity in the face of disruption. MTN continues to raise the bar by enhancing access to the benefits of the modern, connected world,” says Monama.

According to Monama, Nelspruit, and Emalahleni are other towns that have benefitted immensely from the resilience programme, especially from a speed perspective. Indications of the benefits include 4G download speeds in Mpumalanga averaging 12Mbps despite increased data volume, which aligns with the target to ensure fast, reliable access for users.

“Overall network availability has improved by 27.18% since the start of the resilience programme compared to last year. Sites with resilience have a network availability of greater than 97% under stage 4 loadshedding,” says Monama.

With cutting edge technology driving change every day, in 2023, 65 5G sites were activated in Mpumalanga. In 2024, the plan is to add 40 5G sites to the network. Meanwhile, 4G population coverage is as high as 99.41% in Mpumalanga.

While the challenge of load shedding has abated for now; theft and damage at sites remain of concern, with 173 vandalism incidents occurring in the Mpumalanga in the first quarter of 2024.

MTN SA’s progress and leading edge in the market were recently determined through South Africa’s biggest-ever network quality testing project conducted by MyBroadband Insights in partnership with Analytico, Afristay, and Keysight distributor Coral-i. Surpassing the industry regulations set by ICASA, MTN was found to have an Average Call Setup Success Ratio of 99.20%, and a Dropped Call Ratio of only 0.19%.

MyBroadband Insights’ Mobile Network Quality Report for the first quarter of 2024 shows that MTN has the best network. This report evaluates the performance of South Africa's leading mobile networks.

“We want to finish the year with a network availability of 96% under stage 6 load shedding and greater than 99% under stage 2 load shedding,” says Monama.

“Technology has the power to empower communities to participate within the bold digital world and act as economic catalyst for job creation in the pumalanga Province, and we will continue to work daily to brighten lives through the power of connectivity,” concludesMonama.

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ISSUED BY:

Leigh-Ann Chetty, Senior Manager: Public Relations, MTN SA

Cell: 083 209 1310

E-mail: Leigh-Ann.Chetty@mtn.com

Mthokozisi Ndlovu, Manager: Communications and Public Relations, MTN SA

Cell: 083 209 2683

E-mail: Mthokozisi.Ndlovu@mtn.com

About the MTN South Africa

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