MTN Tops Mobile Network Quality in South Africa: An Insightful Report

MTN has been named South Africa’s top-quality mobile network, according to a report by MyBroadband Insights. The study analyzed 288,210 speed tests conducted by 7,092 mobile data users between April and June. MTN achieved the highest average download speed of 83.08 Mbps, followed by Vodacom at 79.70 Mbps and Cell C at 54.50 Mbps. Overall, South Africa’s average mobile download speed increased to 70.41 Mbps from last year’s 62.27 Mbps.

MTN has been named South Africa’s top-quality mobile network according to a recent report by MyBroadband Insights. The report analysed 288,210 speed tests conducted by 7,092 mobile data consumers across South Africa between April and June. MTN achieved the highest average download speed of 83.08 Mbps, followed by Vodacom at 79.70 Mbps and Cell C at 54.50 Mbps. Overall, South Africa’s average mobile download speed experienced an upliftment to 70.41 Mbps from last year’s 62.27 Mbps.

Overview of Mobile Network Quality

In the world of constantly evolving technology where quality is key, the quality of a mobile network significantly impacts consumer satisfaction and rivalry within the industry. The report on Mobile Network Quality for Q2, recently published by MyBroadband Insights, awarded the title of South Africa’s top-quality mobile network to MTN. This accolade is a testament to MTN’s significant expenditure on enhancing their network infrastructure and unyielding dedication to augmenting the user experience.

This declaration draws its foundation from a meticulous analysis of 288,210 speed tests, conducted by 7,092 mobile data consumers across South Africa between April and June. The extensive tests entailed both crowdsourced data and dedicated drive tests, ensuring a fair and precise depiction of real-world network performance.

Nationwide Network Performances

An overall improvement in the mobile network quality is visible in the results. South Africa’s average mobile download speed experienced an upliftment to 70.41 Mbps from last year’s 62.27 Mbps. The average upload speed has also seen growth, reaching 15.94 Mbps from 14.88 Mbps in the same time frame in 2023. These numbers are indicative of a remarkable enhancement in the country’s digital infrastructure and promise a positive path towards future expansion.

MTN emerged as the winner among all the networks with the maximum average download speed of 83.08 Mbps. Vodacom was close behind with an average speed of 79.70 Mbps. On the other hand, Cell C and Telkom achieved average speeds of 54.50 Mbps and 32.29 Mbps respectively. Substantially lagging behind the competition, Rain recorded the lowest average download speed at 21.31 Mbps, a performance below the national average and strikingly inconsistent with the rest of the industry.

Regional Network Performances

MTN’s extraordinary performance was particularly noticeable in eThekwini, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, and Nelson Mandela Bay. On the contrary, Vodacom surpassed other networks in Johannesburg, Mangaung, and Cape Town. The superior network performance of MTN is attributable to their yearly investment of R10 billion in network infrastructure over the past decade. In the previous year alone, MTN hiked its capital expenditure in South Africa by 15% which included infrastructure upgrade with advanced batteries and generators. This forward-thinking move towards improving infrastructure has allowed MTN to provide reliable services notwithstanding the ongoing electricity issues in South Africa.

Despite standing second to MTN in terms of overall network performance, Vodacom’s achievement of the highest 5G speeds is notable. This shows that Vodacom’s vigorous extension of its 5G network throughout South Africa is bearing fruit, and their significant investment is clearly mirrored in the latest data.

Individual Network Performances

Likewise, the report sheds light on the commendable progress made by Cell C. Their download speed saw a substantial rise, from 38.63 Mbps in Q2 2023 to 54.50 Mbps in Q2 2024. This improvement is largely due to Cell C’s strategic migration to MTN’s network and optimization of its virtual network. These actions have fortified Cell C’s position, placing them ahead of Telkom and Rain in terms of network performance.

A “Network Quality Score” was computed for each provider using download speed, upload speed, and latency to further assess network performance. This score, out of 10, offers a comparative analysis of each network’s performance. Here, MTN came out on top with an impressive score of 9.87, trailed by Vodacom at 8.85, Cell C at 6.83, Telkom at 4.91, and Rain at 4.48. A succinct table provides a summary of the mobile network rankings in South Africa.

In a nutshell, this report presents a detailed sketch of the current mobile network landscape in South Africa. With MTN at the forefront, the competition is intense, and every network is striving to enhance its services. Looking ahead, the evolution of these dynamics and the identification of the next network to leap forward in the quest for superior mobile network performance will be intriguing to observe.

1. What is the MyBroadband Insights report about?

The MyBroadband Insights report is an analysis of 288,210 speed tests conducted by 7,092 mobile data users across South Africa between April and June to determine the quality of mobile networks in the country.

2. Which mobile network was named the top-quality network in South Africa?

MTN was named as South Africa’s top-quality mobile network according to the MyBroadband Insights report.

3. What was the average mobile download speed in South Africa in 2024?

The average mobile download speed in South Africa increased from 62.27 Mbps in the previous year to 70.41 Mbps in 2024.

4. What was MTN’s average download speed according to the report?

MTN achieved the highest average download speed of 83.08 Mbps, making it the top-performing network in South Africa.

5. Which network achieved the highest 5G speeds?

Vodacom achieved the highest 5G speeds, despite being second-best in terms of overall network performance.

6. How were the mobile networks ranked in the report?

The report ranked the mobile networks based on a “Network Quality Score” computed using download speed, upload speed, and latency. MTN came out on top with a score of 9.87, followed by Vodacom at 8.85, Cell C at 6.83, Telkom at 4.91, and Rain at 4.48.