Johannesburg - MTN has disclosed details of its data network upgrades to Fin24.com in the wake of upgrade announcements from competitors Cell C and Vodacom.
MTN has been upgrading its 3G network throughout 2009 to accommodate speeds of up to 14.4Mbps, and plans to roll out HSPA+ (classed as 3.5G) in 2010.
In a statement prepared for Fin24.com, the group said: "MTN South Africa has commercially activated HSPA 14.4Mbps download as well as 5.76Mbps upload across its 3G/HSPA Mobile Broadband network during the course of 2009."
The report said the network upgrade was in the process of being activated nationally, and that it would be ready well before the 2010 Fifa World Cup as backhaul transmission becomes available. It added that higher speeds will be provided at the same price as current 3G services.
"MTN prefers not to charge a premium for the higher speeds and better customer experience as this is dependent on transmission, device capability, number of users sharing the site and time of day," said the statement.
MTN added it would soon upgrade its network with 21Mbps enhanced HSPA+, which it intends to be roll out nationally during 2010.
Vodacom announced on Tuesday that it had already activated the first HSPA+ tower in SA and would continue to roll the technology out in 2010. Cell C will incorporate HSPA+ into the new network it is rolling out with Chinese infrastructure provider ZTE.
- Fin24.com