Certainly one of South Africa’s better-known cell digital community operators (MVNOs), Melon Cell, has spun out a brand new firm that plans to assist different manufacturers launch MVNOs in South Africa.
The brand new enterprise, referred to as Melon Digital, will likely be headed by Melon Cell founder Calvin Collett, who beforehand based MTN web service supplier Supersonic.
MVNOs are corporations – typically retail consumer-facing manufacturers – that launch own-branded cell telecommunications providers utilizing the infrastructure of cell community operators like Cell C, MTN, Vodacom and Telkom. MVNEs, or cell digital community enablers, like Melon Digital are additionally increasing in quantity, all aiming to assist manufacturers launch telecoms merchandise to their shoppers.
Different notable MVNEs in South Africa embrace MVN-X and Big Group’s Big NXGN, which was launched just lately.
In an announcement on Wednesday, Collett described Melon Digital as a “next-generation MVNE” that has constructed a “futureproof tech stack whereas eradicating typical boundaries to entry, permitting companies of all sizes to supply seamless cell connectivity to their prospects, underneath their very own model”.
“The cell business has been sluggish to evolve, and prospects have been caught with outdated, rigid and costly options for too lengthy. We constructed Melon Digital to alter that, providing a completely digital, scalable platform that makes launching an MVNO simpler than ever,” Collett mentioned.
Market measurement
Citing BMIT analysis, Melon Digital mentioned it expects the market to develop from round 4.8 million lively MVNO subscribers presently to between 11 million and 12 million by 2029.
Learn: Telkom MVNO platform unveiled, focusing on R83-billion market alternative
Melon Digital mentioned it’s already working with potential shoppers “throughout numerous industries, from retailers to monetary providers”, which might be contemplating launching MVNO providers in South Africa. – © 2025 NewsCentral Media
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