MTN, ODC partner to drive true Open RAN across Africa

The ORAN Development Company (ODC), headquartered in Northern Virginia with development teams in the UK and India, has announced a strategic partnership with MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecommunications operator providing transformative connectivity solutions for the continent from some of the densest cities in the world to rural villages.

Together, the companies plan to develop and test innovative Open RAN (ORAN) solutions tailored to unique requirements of networks across Africa. This collaboration supports MTN Group’s commitment to provide affordable, high-quality telecommunications throughout the continent, with advanced Open RAN architectures enabling greater network flexibility.

MTN Group, headquartered in Johannesburg, operates in 16 African markets, connecting more than 280 million customers. With an ambition to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress, MTN has been at the forefront of adopting innovative technologies to overcome connectivity challenges and meet the unique needs of its diverse markets.

ODC and MTN Group are launching joint lab innovative initiatives to test true ORAN solutions, enhancing network agility, scalability, and efficiency. As part of this initiative, the companies plan to conduct lab and field trials, ensuring optimized performance and seamless integration into MTN Group’s existing network infrastructure.

MTN Group will also guide ODC in optimizing ORAN software and platform development with artificial intelligence to streamline operational expenditure (OPEX) across the network. The partnership will also focus on cutting-edge research and development in 6G and non-terrestrial communications, incorporating these advancements into ODC’s ORAN stack.

“Open RAN represents a transformative approach to how we design and operate our infrastructure—enhancing flexibility, driving cost efficiencies, and paving the way for next-generation technologies,” said Amith Maharaj, MTN Group Network Design and Planning Executive. “At MTN, we are continuously seeking innovative solutions to address Africa’s unique connectivity challenges while building resilient and future-ready networks. Through our collaboration with ODC, we are unlocking new possibilities to expand our reach, improve service quality, and empower the communities and businesses we serve.”

Matthew Johnson, Global Head of ODC, expressed enthusiasm for the strategic partnership, stating, “Our collaboration with MTN Group focuses ODC directly on MTN’s unique network needs, enhancing efficiencies while supporting the evolution of next-generation capabilities, silicon, and AI.”

This strategic partnership represents a pivotal step in achieving network innovation in Africa, and ODC is honoured to support MTN Group in pioneering robust, adaptable network solutions for the future.