Cell C’s strategic shift to outsource its radio access network (RAN) is delivering impressive results, positioning the South African mobile operator as a standout performer in global mobile network quality.
South Africa’s fourth-largest mobile operator, by subscriber count, has garnered international attention for its significant improvement in network performance over the past year. According to OpenSignal’s Global Mobile Network Experience Awards 2025, Cell C is recognized as a “global rising star” in both video and upload speed categories, particularly among large landmass countries like South Africa, which spans over 200,000 square kilometres.
This recognition comes as part of OpenSignal’s sixth annual report, which analysed mobile user experience data from July 1 to December 17, 2024. The awards identify operators that have excelled in providing superior mobile user experiences and those that have seen the greatest improvements in mobile performance during the latter half of 2024 compared to the previous year.
As noted in the report, Cell C was credited for achieving the second-largest percentage increase in upload speed experience, with an impressive 70.8% rise—second only to Movilnet in Venezuela, which saw a 138.2% improvement.
Cell C’s network quality enhancements follow its decision to abandon its own last-mile infrastructure in favour of an outsourced model. By utilizing its own spectrum while relying on infrastructure provided by MTN and Vodacom, Cell C has significantly reduced its capital expenditures. This strategic move has allowed the company to prioritize customer service and other areas of business that provide competitive advantages.
The transition to a roaming-based infrastructure model was completed in June 2023, with the migration of its prepaid, contract, and MVNO customers. A little over a year later, in September 2024, CEO Jorge Mendes spoke to TechCentral, emphasizing that this roaming model has created a win-win situation for both Cell C and its competitors. Cell C benefits from enhanced network quality, while MTN and Vodacom gain additional revenue from providing infrastructure support, all of which has contributed to fostering a more competitive market environment.
Cell C’s latest innovation takes this roaming model further through the introduction of a Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) platform. CTO Schalk Visser explained to TechCentral in October 2024 that MOCN enables Cell C to provide users with an experience similar to using its native infrastructure, even while roaming on MTN or Vodacom networks. This virtualized network system also gives Cell C greater flexibility and control over its roaming relationships, enabling the company to direct customers to the best-performing partner in various areas based on coverage quality.
Visser highlighted the impact of this move, stating, “This ground-breaking model has propelled Cell C’s network footprint forward by 20 years. We now have access to best-in-class infrastructure, benefit from scale, and simultaneously reduce our network expenses and capital expenditure on costly infrastructure.”
Main Image: Cell C
