4 days Ago By News Ghana
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.com.gh/mtn-collaborates-with-meta-to-enhance-whatsapp-services-across-africa/MTN Group has partnered with Meta Platforms to optimize voice and video call quality on WhatsApp and other apps across 12 African markets, beginning with Nigeria.
The initiative, developed since Mobile World Congress 2024, uses data analytics to refine network interactions with real-time communication platforms, reportedly improving call reliability by up to 50% in initial tests. Meanwhile, MTN South Africa launched VideoSMS, a service enabling businesses to send 30-second video ads via traditional SMS, bypassing more complex protocols like MMS or RCS.The collaboration with Meta targets “application-aware networks” and “network-aware applications,” aiming to reduce latency and enhance user experience for MTN’s 290 million subscribers.
Nigeria, MTN’s largest market, saw the first implementation, with plans to expand to other regions. Jason Probert, MTN South Africa’s digital services general manager, highlighted VideoSMS as a cost-effective tool for direct marketing, allowing retailers, travel firms, and automakers to embed multimedia content directly into SMS inboxes without requiring smartphone-specific software.MTN’s dual strategy—improving existing services while innovating new revenue streams reflects broader trends in Africa’s telecom sector, where operators increasingly diversify beyond voice and data.
The Meta partnership could strengthen MTN’s competitive edge in markets where WhatsApp dominates daily communication, particularly among cost-conscious users. However, the lack of disclosed pricing for VideoSMS raises questions about accessibility for small businesses, despite claims it will be cheaper than existing alternatives.These moves come as African telecoms face pressure to upgrade infrastructure amid rising demand for digital services.
While MTN’s focus on user experience aligns with global shifts toward seamless connectivity, challenges like network fragmentation and affordability persist. The success of such initiatives may hinge on balancing technical upgrades with inclusive pricing, ensuring innovations like VideoSMS do not widen the digital divide.As 5G rollouts gain momentum, partnerships between telecom giants and tech firms like Meta could redefine service standards, setting benchmarks for how emerging markets integrate next-generation technologies.
For MTN, the immediate test lies in scaling these solutions sustainably—proving that enhanced connectivity can coexist with equitable access in Africa’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.com.
gh/mtn-collaborates-with-meta-to-enhance-whatsapp-services-across-africa/.
