MTN retains top spot as South Africa’s leading mobile network in Q3 2024

Oluwatosin Racheal Alabi -

Key Points

  • MTN retained its position as South Africa’s top mobile network in Q3 2024, with an average download speed of 106.22 Mbps, outpacing Vodacom’s 94.07 Mbps.
  • MTN’s R10-billion ($567 million) annual investment in infrastructure has been pivotal in maintaining its network leadership and achieving a perfect Network Quality Score of 10.
  • Cell C showed improvement, increasing its download speeds to 68.12 Mbps, while Vodacom continued to lead in 5G performance in select regions.

MTN has once again solidified its position as South Africa’s leading mobile network, according to the Q3 2024 Mobile Network Quality Report from MyBroadband Insights. The report, which is based on nearly 300,000 speed tests conducted between July and September, showcases MTN’s dominance in network performance across the country, particularly in major metropolitan areas.

With an average download speed of 106.22 Mbps, MTN outperformed its closest rival, Vodacom, which posted an average speed of 94.07 Mbps. The report also highlighted other key players, with Cell C improving to 68.12 Mbps, while Telkom and Rain lagged behind at 39.72 Mbps and 23.14 Mbps, respectively.

MTN’s ongoing infrastructure investment fuels success

A key factor in MTN’s continued leadership in network quality is its substantial investment in infrastructure. For over a decade, MTN has invested approximately R10 billion ($567 million) annually into expanding and improving its network capabilities. This ongoing financial commitment has not only enhanced the company’s ability to deliver superior service but also kept it ahead of competitors in both 4G and 5G networks.

This investment is reflected in the Network Quality Score—a measure of download and upload speeds as well as latency. MTN achieved a perfect score of 10, leading the pack, followed by Vodacom (8.24), Cell C (7.03), Telkom (4.51), and Rain (4.01). The network’s exceptional performance in cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Tshwane, and Nelson Mandela Bay played a major role in its overall success.

Cell C's performance surges, Vodacom strong in select markets

Cell C’s recent resurgence has been noteworthy, with its download speeds increasing from 54.50 Mbps to 68.12 Mbps. This improvement is largely driven by CEO Jorge Mendes’ strategic focus on enhancing the company’s virtual network, which operates using MTN’s infrastructure.

Despite MTN’s dominance, Vodacom still leads in eThekwini and Mangaung and continues to deliver the fastest 5G speeds in the country. However, in Johannesburg and Cape Town — key markets — MTN reclaimed the top position, outperforming its competitors and further strengthening its position as the nation’s mobile network leader.

MTN’s ongoing network investment, combined with strategic efforts to improve service quality, has cemented its place as the top mobile provider in South Africa, ensuring it stays ahead in the fast-growing digital market.