MTN SA is moving its legacy core voice network over to Internet Protocol (IP)-based infrastructure.
The company follows several local and international businesses, which have made the same move to keep their networks current and capacity-friendly.
MTN CTO Sameer Dave says the IP solution is where the future lies for telecoms operators.
Vodacom has already launched a product on its IP network, called Metro Ethernet. Parts of Telkom's next-generation network are also based on the technology.
While placing voice over IP isn't a radically new idea, it does offer MTN a network that can be considered converged, allowing all forms of communication over a line, unlike the traditional Time Delay Multiplexing services.
This is one of the moves MTN is making in the fixed-infrastructure arena, with the company also investing heavily in fibre solutions across the country. MTN has also managed to complete its fibre roll-out in Gauteng in time for the Fifa World Cup.
According to Dave, the company has now lit up its 220km of fibre in the metro. “It is all carrying traffic today,” he adds.
Last year, MTN and second national operator Neotel signed a historic agreement to co-build a national long-distance fibre-optic network. The companies are expected to dig up around 5 000km which will be the home to both operators' fibre assets.
The national network has been held up by several delays, but MTN's Gauteng ring means the system could now be well under way.
Dave says MTN has also started work on several other segments of its fibre roll-out, which it hopes to complete over the next 14 to 18 months.
Alongside its fibre, MTN has a heavy investment in several undersea cables that will see a boost in its international capacity.
The company's primary cable is the East African Submarine System, which has seen several delays hindering its completion over the last few months. However, Dave says he is confident the cable will be up and running by August.
MTN also has a stake in the West African Cable System, Teams, EIG and Telkom's SAT-3/Safe system.
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