The MTN Group is pleased to announce that it has acquired the remaining 40% interest in MTN Network Solutions (Pty) Limited (MTN Network Solutions) from Johnnic Communications Limited (Johncom), thus giving MTN full ownership and control of the company.
MTN Network Solutions was created through the joint purchase by the MTN Group (60%) and Johncom (40%) of a small Internet service provider, Citec, in 2001.
Today, the company is one of SA`s leading network solution providers (NSPs). It operates one of the country`s largest and most robust networks which has been engineered to provide an affordable network environment that alleviates the need for organisations to maintain their own extensive IT infrastructures.
MTN Network Solutions is positioned to harness the synergies between telecoms, networking, media and entertainment, bringing together IP networking and other third-generation technologies. As the leader in this field, MTN Network Solutions will be able to add value to the MTN Group that encompasses traditional networking, cellular networks and the Internet.
Says Yvonne Muthien, group executive: corporate affairs, MTN Group: "This move signals a new chapter for the highly successful MTN Network Solutions, as the MTN Group looks to a new strategy in a world of converged telecommunications. MTN NS will benefit enormously from the full backing of the MTN Group to support it. We will be expanding rapidly in the data market across Africa, with a renewed focus on SA."
Paul Jenkins, Johncom Corporate and Business Affairs Director, comments: "We have been pleased with the success and profits generated by Network Solutions and Johncom will remain a major client. It has become increasingly apparent that MTN could better leverage the opportunities that would contribute to Network Solutions` continued success. We have no doubt that MTN will position Network Solutions as the leader in this fast-moving and exciting converged market."
With the construction of a new commercial hosting facility in Rosebank, MTN Network Solutions has become a specialist in hosting high volume Web sites, such as MTN Loaded, CareerJunction, Sunday Times and Business Day, among others. In 2004 MTN Network Solutions received Cisco Silver Partnership Status.
Share