Telecommunications giant MTN has partnered with Meta in a bid to enhance the performance of real-time communication services such as voice and video calls on platforms like WhatsApp across Nigeria and 11 other markets.
The collaboration, which began at the Mobile World Congress 2024, seeks to bridge the technological gap between mobile network providers and over-the-top (OTT) service platforms. It focuses on building application-aware mobile networks and developing network-aware applications to optimise the call experience for users.
Historically, telecom providers in Africa have raised concerns about OTT platforms eating into traditional voice call revenues, but this latest development signals a turning point. Rather than viewing OTT services as competition, MTN appears to be leaning into collaboration to meet evolving user preferences.
MTN says the technical interventions implemented under the partnership are already yielding measurable improvements in both call quality and network efficiency.
“We’ve seen a marked improvement in the quality of our real-time communication services,” said Yahaya Ibrahim, Chief Technical Officer at MTN Nigeria. “This reflects our dedication to delivering customer-focused innovation.”
Also commenting on the progress, Diego Marí, Meta’s Head of Network Ecosystems Engineering, said the initiative is part of Meta’s broader effort to improve service delivery and reduce network strain.
“This collaboration enables us to introduce advanced network solutions that significantly enhance real-time user experiences, especially in high-demand markets like Nigeria,” Marí stated.
