JSE-listed emerging market mobile operator, MTN, has revealed that data revenue now contributes as much as 17 percent of the company overall returns.
According to its CEO, Sifiso Dabengwa, subscriber numbers grew 2 percent to 219 million quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) while data revenue increased by 34 percent year-to-date (YTD), the company said. Because of this surge, data revenue now contributes 17.8 percent to total revenue of the company.
South African operations regained traction with 1.4 million net additions for the quarter.
“However, performance was impacted by continued aggressive competition and stringent regulatory requirements,” Dabengwa said on Thursday.
“The South African operation delivered an improved performance in the prepaid segment supported by competitive offers while the Nigerian operation faced a challenging regulatory environment resulting in lower-than-expected growth,” he added.
MTN continued to benefit from good growth in non-voice revenue bolstered by data and Mobile Money across key markets.
“Good progress was also achieved in the optimisation of our operating model, particularly in reducing costs and the monetisation of assets with the announcement of the tower transaction in Nigeria during the quarter,” Dabengwa said.
Regulatory pressure constrained subscriber growth numbers in Nigeria.
Launched in 1994, MTN Group has grown into a multi-national telecommunications firm with a track record of technological innovation.
Through steady organic growth, prudent acquisitions and robust governance, the MTN Group has been rapidly achieving its vision of becoming the telecommunications leader in emerging markets.
The telecommunication group operates in 21 countries in Africa, including Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, Iran, Afghanistan, Benin, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Liberia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. It also has operations in the Middle East.
MTN is listed on Africa’s foremost stock exchange, the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) in South Africa.
