MTN network traffic volumes soar

Telecommunications operator MTN South Africa has reported that its network remained stable and 100% operational in the days leading up to and during the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup between South Africa and Mexico on Friday 12 June 2010.

With extreme demands placed on its network over the three days leading up to the opening match, the MTN network did not experience any congestion whatsoever.

“Our network was very stable and able to accommodate the high demands placed on it by our customers during this time,” says Sameer Dave, Chief Technology Officer of MTN South Africa.

From 9 June to 12 June, there was a massive increase in data usage driven by 3G/HSPA. Subscriber-generated SMS volumes reached a total of 25 million over the four-day period, peaking at 6.46 million on 11 June at an average of 6.26 million SMS sent over the four days. In addition, subscriber-generated MMS volumes reached a total of 1.2 million over the four days, peaking at 344 253 on 11 June at an average of 307 278 MMS sent over the four days.

MTN South Africa has invested hundreds of millions of rand upgrading its network and infrastructure. This investment has ensured that MTN customers enjoy a seamless and quality service during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and into the future. MTN has enhanced network coverage at all 10 of the FIFA-approved stadiums. Not only does this system provide spectators with the best possible coverage in terms of voice and data, but it also ring-fences each stadium so that it does not impact on the rest of the network.

“It is encouraging to note that, having handled the increase in traffic over the first few days of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the MTN network is ready to continue processing the huge volumes in both voice and data traffic during the remainder of the event.

“We have always been confident that we were ready to deliver a world-class service as our responsibility that comes with being the first African global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This shows how our investment in upgrading the network is paying off. Now that's Ayoba!” concludes Dave.