In response to network glitch impacting its services in South Africa and Nigeria, the MTN Group has inked a significant deal with telecom equipment manufacturer Ericsson.Â
The collaboration is aimed at revamping the core network infrastructure in both countries, ensuring a more robust and efficient system for future technologies.
The recent network disruption, which affected voice and data services nationwide, prompted MTN to strengthen its existing ties with Ericsson.
The telecom giant is focused on deploying a cloud-native core network, aligning with the Unified Cloud Acceleration framework’s principles over the next five years.
Mazen Mroué, Chief Technology and Information Officer of MTN Group, emphasized the strategic transformation program’s importance.
He stated, “We are embarking on a strategic transformation program to modernize and upgrade our core network infrastructure, signifying a commitment to enhancing network performance and efficiency in respective markets.”
The modernization initiative is crucial for the readiness of MTN Nigeria’s and MTN South Africa’s network infrastructure, paving the way for future 5G standalone capabilities.
Simultaneously, MTN Nigeria is committed to fostering smartphone affordability and digital inclusion within the country.
Karl Toriola, MTN CEO in Nigeria, highlighted the significance of overcoming device affordability barriers for digital inclusion.
In an interview with Arise TV, Toriola shared insights into the company’s efforts to make smartphones more accessible in Nigeria.
Toriola expressed optimism about the potential impact of local assembly and financing schemes on reducing smartphone costs.
He elaborated, “Local assembly does a number of things. First of all, it can bring down the cost of production, it eliminates custom duties, and then you talk about financing handsets.” Toriola emphasized the need for a robust financing ecosystem, mentioning MTN’s ongoing collaborations with various companies in Africa to develop such systems.
