On January 28th, 2018, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) released a network performance report that it conducted during the period between September to November 2019. At the time, the report indicated that Airtel Uganda had the fastest mobile data services while Africell lacked when it came to dropped call rates. This was the last UCC report that MTN ever accepted from the regulator as it left MTN in the middle with no direct recognition.
Consequently, MTN Uganda rejected the UCC results, and later, hired Rohdes & Schwarz–one of the world’s leading Network Monitoring and Testing companies who after conducting network tests, bestowed upon the telecom giant with the title of the best telecom company in Uganda in 2020 with the “Highest Network Performance Score” for its data and voice services. The tests were conducted by using the ITU/ETSI standards and methodologies.
The trend has continued this time around. Since UCC has not conducted benchmark measurements of mobile voice telephony and data services, MTN yet again sought Rohdes & Schwarz’s expertise to carry out extensive tests of voice calls and internet speed evaluations across over 9,000 km around the country. This was done during the 3rd quarter of 2021.
Between 10th October and 24th December 2021, Rohde & Schwarz conducted an independent network quality and performance test on the networks of all mobile operators in Uganda including Smile, Airtel, and MTN. In the survey, the three network systems were benchmarked against leading European mobile telephone operators using the network performance scoring method of European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) TR 103 559 S.
MTN Uganda’s Results.
MTN Uganda registered the highest score in both data and voice (on 2G, 3G, and 4G-LTE), scooping a total of 649 out of 1000 points. MTN’s data service scored 367 out of 600 points while its voice service scored 282 out of 400 points, making it the premium provider of both data and voice services in the country. Techjaja however never received the points that Airtel and Smile received.
Company CEO Vanhelleputte noted that MTN Uganda is investing US$ 300 million over a three-year period that commenced last year, to further consolidate its services across Uganda, with the aim of upholding the country’s Broadband policy and Vision 2040.
The Best Network Operator award comes at a time that MTN Uganda is commencing the operationalization of the MTN Ambition 2025 strategy which is anchored on the vision of MTN leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress. Key among the MTN Ambition 2025 strategy pillars is the active desire to drive industry-leading connectivity operations, a fact that has manifested in the company’s impressive Network Performance results.
5G coming soon
Also worth noting is that MTN’s Best Network Performance award comes barely two years since MTN was named the most admired brand in Africa. In January 2020, MTN Uganda became the first operator in East Africa and the third in Africa to showcase the 5G network to its customers. It however to assume that the US$ 300 million investment over a three-year period that commenced last year, statement from the CEO would only mean to expect a 5G launch in later this year or in 2023.
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