Emmanuel OchayiMTN Group’s South African arm in a strategic move to combat South Africa’s ongoing power crisis has unveiled an extensive infrastructure investment plan.
The telecom giant has invested between R4.5 billion ($233 million) and R5 billion into its network, significantly enhancing network availability by 15%.
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To tackle the dire power cuts plaguing South Africa, MTN deployed an arsenal of more than 20,000 batteries, 5,000 rectifiers, and nearly 900 diesel generators across its sites throughout the country.
These measures aim to ensure that the mobile network remains robust even during the most severe outages in recorded history.
The power crisis has not only disrupted the lives and businesses of millions but has also posed a formidable challenge to mobile operators like MTN, Vodacom, and Telkom, all dependent on a consistent power supply for network connectivity.
Charles Molapisi, MTN South Africa’s Chief Executive, affirmed the company’s commitment to providing a reliable network. He highlighted the extensive upgrades, including battery installations, rectifier swaps, backup generators, and enhanced security measures to protect infrastructure from theft and vandalism. Notably, over 2,000 sites were upgraded in August alone.
MTN’s unique edge in navigating such challenging conditions stems from its experience in Nigeria, where frequent power outages are a norm. Drawing from this expertise, the company has successfully utilized diesel generators as a pivotal element of its energy strategy, ensuring network reliability and resilience in a tumultuous power environment.
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