Telkom has formally launched its platform to assist the cellular digital community operators (MVNOs), becoming a member of an more and more crowded market phase that was initially pioneered in South Africa by Cell C.
The MVNO platform, which is able to assist Telkom meet necessities set out by communications regulator Icasa in a spectrum public sale in 2022, is being launched via Telkom Enterprise.
It stated it’s launching the MVNO platform in partnership with an MVNE (cellular digital community enabler) companion “with a confirmed observe file within the South African market”. It didn’t identify the MVNE.
“Signing the MVNE platform settlement will permit Telkom to satisfy Icasa’s necessities whereas figuring out and onboarding a number of MVNOs to strengthen its aggressive place within the MVNO market,” Telkom stated in a press release late on Monday. “Icasa requires cellular community operators like Telkom to assist a minimum of three black-owned MVNOs as a part of their spectrum licence situations.”
The corporate stated the MVNO market is “increasing quickly”, with a report by Africa Evaluation in February 2024 estimating the market’s potential income at R83.6-billion.
“Because the sector’s inception in 2006, it has skilled regular progress, with subscriber numbers rising by 51% 12 months on 12 months by the top of 2023, reaching 4.3 million customers. This progress is pushed by shopper affinity, significantly to monetary companies suppliers, retailers and area of interest manufacturers,” stated Telkom.
‘Thrilling area’
“The MVNO market is an thrilling area, and we’re desperate to convey our community capabilities and infrastructure to allow and assist new entrants,” stated Lunga Siyo, Telkom CEO: Shopper and Small Enterprise. “We’re streamlining MVNO entry with a structured, scalable single-platform mannequin. This simplifies integration, reduces operational complexity and ensures dependable community entry.”
Learn: MVNOs are the brand new progress driver in South African telecoms
Telkom’s launch within the MNVO area brings to 4 the variety of cellular community operators providing such companies – Cell C was the pioneer of the market, having hosted the nation’s first-ever MVNO, the now-defunct Virgin Cellular South Africa. Nonetheless, MTN South Africa and, to a lesser extent, Vodacom South Africa have lately additionally begun taking part in within the area. – © 2025 NewsCentral Media
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