Africa Digest News

Telecom milestones are often measured in speed, but MTN South Africa’s latest breakthrough with Ericsson goes far deeper.

By completing the world’s largest 5G Standalone (SA) core upgrade, the partners are laying the foundation for a connected Africa ready for Industry 4.0.

This upgrade shatters records while laying groundwork for immersive experiences like AR/VR, cloud gaming, and enterprise-grade solutions.

Breaking Down the Record

At its centre, MTN South Africa’s upgrade expands its 5G SA core network to an unprecedented scale, marking the largest implementation globally and a first for Africa.

Powered by Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core solution, including a cloud-native Policy Controller and 5G Standalone-ready Packet Core Gateway, the project was rolled out on a live network without a hitch.

Key highlights include:

• Seamless Execution Amid Chaos: The team performed an automated In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) on Ericsson’s Packet Core Gateway while handling 2.52 million active user sessions and 40 Gbps of data traffic. No interruptions, zero downtime. This is a global first for an operator using a collocated packet core firewall.
• Cloud-Native Magic: MTN executed a Container-as-a-Service rolling upgrade on the Cloud Core Policy Controller (CCPC), managing around 2 million active sessions in real-time. The CCPC, configured as Africa’s first Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), enables dynamic, real-time policies for 5G non-standalone networks and prepares for full SA rollout.
• Future-Proof Foundation: Deployed on Ericsson’s Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution (CNIS), the upgrade boosts session management, mobility, and policy control. It supports reduced latency, enhanced throughput, and rock-solid reliability, all essential for everything from streaming to IoT deployments.

Beyond the Hype

Sure, faster speeds (we’re talking potential gigabit-level bursts) grab headlines, but the real game-changer here is the standalone architecture.

Unlike non-standalone 5G, which relies on 4G infrastructure, SA cores are purpose-built for 5G, unlocking ultra-low latency (under 10 ms) and massive device connectivity (up to 1 million per square kilometre).

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For millions of South Africans, this translates to:

• Immersive Consumer Experiences: Picture lag-free cloud gaming or AR try-ons for shopping without the frustration of buffering.
• Enterprise Power Plays: Reliable, sliced networks for critical apps in mining (real-time equipment monitoring), healthcare (remote surgeries), and logistics (autonomous drones).
• Scalability for Growth: With data demands surging, MTN South Africa already boasts over 30 million subscribers; this setup handles exponential traffic while keeping costs in check through automation.

MTN’s Global Charm

With over 280 million subscribers across Africa and the Middle East, MTN isn’t just a regional giant; it’s a global force.

This upgrade elevates South Africa into the 5G elite, proving the continent can surpass outdated perceptions.

By modernising under MTN Group’s Unified Cloud Acceleration (MUNA) principles kicked off in a 2024 five-year deal with Ericsson MTN is future-proofing not just South Africa, but the entire group, including Nigeria.

Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, climate change, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.

FAQs

MTN South Africa Contact Number

MTN South Africa’s contact number is 083 123 2222 for support or 011 912 3000 for headquarters.

MTN South Africa Phones

MTN South Africa offers 5G phones like Honor 400 Lite (R629 PM) and Samsung Galaxy, with deals including free smartwatches and double data from R295 PM.

MTN South Africa Login

Access MTN South Africa services via the myMTN app or mycontract.mtn.co.za using your phone number, OTP, and password.

MTN Group

MTN Group, Africa’s largest mobile operator, serves 288 million customers across 18 markets with broadband and fintech, founded in 1994.

MTN Contact Number

MTN’s contact number in South Africa is 083 123 2222 or 011 912 3000 for headquarters.

MTN Customer Care

MTN customer care offers 24/7 support via 083 123 2222, WhatsApp, or myMTN app for billing and service queries.

MTN Customer Care Number

MTN’s customer care number is 083 123 2222 in South Africa or +27 83 123 2222 internationally.

Ericsson 5G Products

Ericsson’s 5G products include dual-mode 5G Core, Cloud Native Infrastructure, and Private 5G for IoT and low-latency applications.

MTN 5G SIM Card

MTN 5G SIM cards are free upgrades for eligible users; activate via *123# or stores for 5G access on compatible devices.