MTN is expected to achieve strong network performance due to its annual investment of R10 billion in its network infrastructure over the past decade. Picture: Timothy Bernard Independent Newspapers
Mobile telecommunications provider MTN is the top network in South Africa, according to MyBroadband Insights’ second quarter 2024 Mobile Network Quality Report.
It shows MTN achieved strong network performance due to its annual investment of R10 billion in its network infrastructure over the past decade.
The Mobile Network Quality Report is based on 288 210 speed tests performed by 7 092 mobile data users across South Africa between April 1 and June 30 this year.
The testing included data from crowdsourced users and dedicated drive tests, ensuring a balanced and accurate representation of real-world network performance.
Using upload, download and latency times for each network, a “Network Quality Score'” was computed to identify the top mobile network in South Africa.
The performance of a network in comparison to other networks is shown as a Network Quality Score, expressed as a number between 1 and 10.
With a score of 9.87, MTN topped the pack, followed by Vodacom (8.85), Cell C (6.83), Telkom (4.91), and Rain (4.48).
According to the report, South Africa’s average mobile download speed increased from 62.27 Mbps to 70.41 Mbps in just one year.
The average upload speed was 15.94 Mbps, an increase from 14.88 Mbps over the same period in 2023.
With an average download speed of 83.08 Mbps, MTN led the field, followed by Vodacom (79.70 Mbps), Cell C (54.5 Mbps), and Telkom (32.2 Mbps).
Rain performed the poorest, averaging 21.31 Mbps for downloads. It was out of step with the rest of the industry and much below the national average.
In eThekwini, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, and Nelson Mandela Bay, MTN did the best. In Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Mangaung, Vodacom ruled supreme.
MTN upgraded infrastructure with modern batteries and generators, increasing its capital expenditures in South Africa by 15% over the previous year.
The upgrades helped MTN ensure reliable mobile services amid ongoing electricity problems in South Africa.
Vodacom obtained the fastest 5G speeds, despite MTN being the network with the best overall performance ranking.
According to the most-recent data, Vodacom is making significant progress in spreading its 5G network throughout South Africa.
Cell C has improved, as shown by the report. Between Q2 2023 and Q2 2024, it experienced an increase in download speed from 38.63 Mbps to 54.50 Mbps.
This enhancement has a direct bearing on Cell C’s switch to MTN’s network and virtual network optimisation.
As far as network performance goes, Cell C’s migration and optimisation let it maintain its lead over Rain and Telkom.
The Star