07 June 2023

MTN GlobalConnect (MTN GC) - now known as Bayobab since a recent rebranding exercise - rolled out over 2,000km of new fibre in the first quarter of this year, bringing its total inventory of proprietary fibre to over 107,000km.

MTN GC has reported that in its first quarter 2023, it grew external revenue by 17% year-on-year to US$83.6 million, with mobility revenue up by 15.5%. According MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita, during the period, MTN GC signed fixed connectivity infrastructure deals valued at US$2.8 million.

“The performance of the fixed connectivity segment was driven by the introduction of Internet Protocol Transit (IPT) international gateways in South Africa and Nigeria, as well as the launch of the IPT product, Looking Glass Portal,” said Mupita.

“To meet the growing demand for international connectivity in our markets, in line with our plans, MTN GC Kenya and Zambia made noteworthy progress through digital connectivity initiatives,” added Mupita. “External wholesale mobility revenues grew by 15.5% year-on-year in Q1, backed by a five-year messaging deal with a global hyperscaler, increased missioncritical SMSes processed on the platform to authenticate mobile users and resilient performance from international voice, delivered against a negative global trend.”

In the period, MTN GC also partnered with key global mobile networks and opened 1.200 new services to make international roaming ‘more affordable for MTN’s subscribers’ across Africa.

In addition, MTN GC attained MEF 3.0 Carrier Ethernet services certification, which Mupita said ensures that “our digital connectivity solutions adhere to the highest industry standards and deliver best-in-class connectivity solutions to drive network transformation to power the African digital economy.”