MTN to Roll Out Contingencies in Anticipation of Stage 8 Loadshedding After Losing R695m to Rolling Blackouts

• South African mobile network giant MTN has estimated a significant loss in revenue as a result of increased loadshedding
• The MTN Group claims to have lost out on a whopping R695 million as blackouts affected network availability and business functions
• Rumours that loadshedding may increase to Stage 8 in the second half of 2023 has spurred the group to intensify the rollout of its resilience plan

JOHANNESBURG - Incessant loadshedding has significantly impacted MTN, with the mobile network estimating that it lost R695 million in 2022 alone.

With operating conditions significantly impacted by increased rolling blackouts in the last half of 2022, MTN is looking to continue implementing a resilience plan to lessen the impact of loadshedding.

The country's second-biggest mobile network said that the 208 days of loadshedding experienced in 2022 impacted network availability and business functions, hampering customers' ability to recharge and upgrade packages, BusinessTech reported.

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MTN to complete rollout of contingencies to reduce impact of loadshedding on revenue

With rumours that loadshedding may ramp up to Stage 8 in July, the group is working with its partners to optimise sites to ensure consistent performance of upgrades implemented through the resistance plan.

The contingencies include rolling out additional batteries, generators and "enhanced security features" to address the anticipated increase in rolling blackouts.

The MTN Group had upgraded more than 3 000 by the end of February and plans to have the optimisation process fully completed by December 2023, TechCentral reported.

It wasn't all bad news from MTN South Africa last year, as service revenue grew by 3.6% while data revenue increased by 13.1%.

Energy expert warns SA to brace for Stage 8 loadshedding in winter, angering Mzansi: “Just take the sun away”

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In another story, Briefly News reported that South Africans have been plunged back into increased loadshedding, and an energy expert has warned that things could get worse in the coming months.

The Head of Business Intelligence at Hohm Energy, Mathew Cruise, says that come July, there is a 50% chance the country will be plunged further into darkness with Stage 8 loadshedding.

The energy expert said a briefing with Eskom indicated that the struggling power utility is preparing for Stage 8 loadshedding in addition to the introduction of higher stages to the schedule.

Source: Briefly News