“Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”
This was one of the first things I read about MTN Group (News - Alert), Africa’s largest mobile network operator (MNO), as well as MTN South Africa, a subsidiary of the former.
I wasn’t aware of MTN until recently, but wanted to learn more. (After all, the practice of continuous learning is timeless.)
I digress.
Providing voice, data, fintech, digital, wholesale and API services on a massive scale (i.e. 292 million customers across 19 markets), the shared mission of MTN Group and MTN South Africa is to enable real benefits of modern, connected lives; advance attainment of smart sustainability goals, foster financial inclusion, and bridge the digital divides faced in the modern era.
MTN Group is focused on economic growth for Africa’s sustainability. After all, through investments in infrastructure and networks, more than improved connectivity in rural and underserved areas gets done. Previously excluded individuals can participate in the digital economy, supporting economic activity. Jobs are created. Higher standards of living and reinforced social services hit greater levels of achievability. And, of course, economic growth attracts the right eyes and cutting-edge investment opportunities, leading to even further development.
So, while its 5G networks enable faster internet speeds, lower latency and reliability at scale for Africans, MTN Group also recognizes and invests in innovative technologies elsewhere. That is why, earlier this month, the company announced that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Eseye, a global IoT cellular connectivity solutions provider.
Like MTN, Eseye is well-aware of how “good connectivity” just isn’t enough in 2023. IoT demands demand more; robust and highly reliable connectivity, a strong partnership portfolio (so additional experts can be leaned on to ensure high-speed connectivity is optimized), and business growth that accelerates without undue compromise within such competitive markets. Eseye knows these to be facts, and it navigates each stage of IoT thoroughly customers and partners.
Hence, MTN’s decision to align with Eseye, and the decision to award it with this crucial contract that will see it standardize a global eSIM and IoT platform solution.
Following a rigorous tendering process, the Eseye Integra IoT Platform for MNOs was selected to power next-gen MTN IoT connectivity solutions, which will see millions of IoT devices onboarded and connected. Through Eseye, MTN will capably provide multi-dimensional solutions that go beyond connectivity management to deliver on a range of IoT value added services.
The agreement will see Eseye's Integra solution deployed in South Africa, with goals to expand it to 18 operating companies across the continent, allowing several operating companies to evolve and utilize the solution to meet their own requirements and specific market needs. This involves integration with MTN's current infrastructure and utilizes Eseye's deep engineering expertise and experience in deploying rapid IoT solutions to meet MTN's needs, thus supporting key customers with pan-African IoT deployments.
Per Lawrence Juku, Head of IoT Solutions at MTN Business:
“Our central goal is to be Africa's leading digital platform, unlocking economic growth through financial and digital solutions for consumers and businesses of all sizes. We strive to create a marketplace that supports digital economies through our affordable, inclusive, comprehensive services. Our strategic partnership with Eseye will enable us to sell diverse IoT services such as connectivity, IoT bundles, and value-added services to help our customers meet their IoT global needs. Our IoT Connectivity Management Platform, powered by Eseye, will enable us to meet our goals even more aggressively, and to deliver differentiated services across diverse IoT verticals."
And per Nick Earle, Eseye’s CEO:
"We are proud to be awarded this multi-year agreement with MTN. This demonstrates the caliber of not only our technology, but also our IoT capability. This contract involves a complex technical process and we have already invested a huge amount of work in the technical project set-up phase, which will be ongoing for the foreseeable months. We're delighted that MTN has put its trust in Eseye to deliver a new global eSIM and IoT platform that will help their customers achieve their extended IoT goals. With our work already well underway, we are excited for what the future holds."