Cellular network operator MTN Group passed the 10 million subscriber mark in the quarter to end-June.
The 10.09 million subscribers on its local and international networks represent a 5.7% increase since the financial year-end on 31 March.
MTN is still behind rival Vodacom in subscriber numbers, with Vodacom recording 12.4 million subscribers at the end of June.
However, MTN is the leader in the rest of Africa. Thirty-six percent, or 3.6 million, of MTN`s customers are in other African countries, while Vodacom`s 1.85 million subscribers in other African countries account for 14.8% of its total subscriber base.
MTN`s 6.5 million South African subscribers (Vodacom has 10.58 million) comprise 5.29 million prepaid subscribers and 1.2 million contract subscribers.
Like its rival, MTN has reported a decline in average revenue per user (ARPU). Blended ARPU in SA slipped from R203 to R189 a month. Vodacom recently reported that its ARPU in SA fell from R177 per month to R164 per month.
MTN says it recorded prepaid ARPU of R98 and contract ARPU of R585.
ARPU also declined in Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda and Rwanda, although ARPU in Swaziland increased.
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