MTN Business has launched a pan-African cloud platform, offering customers a hybrid cloud solution serviced from MTN's data centres. The platform is powered by Microsoft's technology and is built on MTN's Global MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) network which has 23 points of presence across the globe. This will ensure an enhanced customer experience due to lower latency and better response times.
In line with the characteristics of cloud, MTN's customers in the region will be provided with a self-service management portal with a consistent look and feel as Microsoft Azure, one of the most highly acclaimed public cloud providers. The platform runs off enterprise-grade infrastructure, providing clients with flexibility and increasing their agility.
"We are excited to be embarking on this journey with Microsoft to offer this cutting edge solution to our customers,” commented Alpheus Mangale, Chief Enterprise Officer for MTN Business SA. “The partnership between MTN and Microsoft will deliver a combination of strengths and capabilities that will enable our clients to harness a world class hybrid cloud solution. MTN Business Cloud will give our clients the peace of mind that they are using a solution from a global company that is backed by MTN's reputation, expansive reach and proven track record across Africa and the Middle East."
The decision to launch MTN Business Cloud platform follows the unveiling of Africa's first Pan African Internet of Things (IoT) platform, which lays the foundations for the introduction of a global Machine-to-Machine (M2M) sim card which is expected to give customers the same rate for M2M activity across MTN's footprint in Africa.
"All of our offerings are in line with our strategic intent of refining our traditional product offering, as well as actively develop new opportunities to ensure MTN continues to inspire and enable the growth of our customers," Mangale added.
MTN will offer Microsoft Express Route at the end of the third quarter of 2015. This will leverage MTN's Global MPLS network, enabling the company to offer solutions based on both MTN and Microsoft's Cloud platforms which will eliminate the need to use the Internet.
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 22 countries in South and East Africa (SEA); South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, Kenya, in West and Central Africa (WECA); Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, in Middle East and North Africa (MENA); Iran, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Sudan, Syria, Yemen.