MTN Group

Main article: South Africa

History

2021: IHS Holding bought 5.7 thousand cell towers from MTN Group

In mid-November 2021, one of the largest independent owners, operators and developers of general telecommunications infrastructure in the world in terms of the number of towers, IHS Holding Limited signed agreements with MTN Group to acquire 5.7 thousand towers in South Africa in the amount of 6.4 billion South African rands (about $410 million). It is expected that the deal to sell the tower infrastructure of Africa's largest mobile operator will be completed in the first quarter of 2022.

Money from the sale will be reinvested in obtaining additional spectrum in South Africa, and will also allow MTN Group to manage its finances more flexibly. The transaction provides IHS Holding Limited with access to the most developed economy in Africa and additional income of about $220 million in the first year of operation. African-oriented telecommunications companies are increasingly seeking to benefit more from their operations and business units across the continent, the companies said in a press release.

IHS Holding acquired 5.7 thousand cell towers from MTN Group

I am extremely pleased to announce the establishment of IHS, the largest independent tower operator in South Africa, which represents the beginning of a new chapter in South Africa's telecommunications infrastructure sector. There is a growing population of almost 60 million people in the country, and we strive to use our operational experience to invest in acquired towers and, if necessary, provide advanced electricity services, "said IHS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sam Darwish.

Darwish noted that the relationship with MTN Group, combined with two decades of work on the African continent and experience in ensuring consistently high network performance, will create an infrastructure capable of meeting South Africa's increasingly complex data needs. He then added that through this deal and our partnership with Egypt Digital Company for Investment, IHS is now present in seven African markets in addition to our four new markets in Latama and the Middle East and North Africa.

Thanks to this deal, IHS will enter the most industrialized economy in Africa, which indicates the company's commitment to maintaining a leading position in Africa. The company will become the largest independent operator of towers in South Africa, and will also use its production experience to invest in new infrastructure, helping to accelerate the introduction of new technologies and increase the efficiency of existing infrastructure.^[1]

2020: Incredible ways to protect base stations from theft and vandalism are used in South Africa

At the end of June 2020, the telecom portal MyBroadband released an article on how mobile network operators in South Africa protect base stations from theft and vandalism. More details here.

Assets

South Africa's largest telecommunications operator and the region's largest international telecommunications enterprise. As of January 2020, the company operates in 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East, and the number of MTN subscribers exceeds 230 million.

According to the data for the 4th quarter of 2018, ^[2] 30 Jul 2019}} MTN operates in the following countries:

Development of communication networks

Cooperation with ZTE

ZTE has been collaborating with MTN since 2009. The partnership areas of the two companies cover wireless communication, backbone networks, data transmission, energy infrastructure, terminals and maintenance services. As of January 2020, the Chinese developer has experience interacting with 11 MTN branches in the implementation of a wide variety of projects.

Notes