Telkom Sa
Telkom SA SOC Limited is a South African state-owned telecommunications group operating mobile, fiber, LTE, and 5G services through its Openserve and BCX subsidiaries, serving over 25 million mobile subscribers and enterprise/government customers across South Africa and Nigeria.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersCenturion, South Africa
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Telkom Sa does
Telkom SA SOC Limited is a South African state-owned telecommunications group headquartered in Centurion and listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE: TKG). Founded in 1991 and majority-owned by the South African Government, the group operates the largest communications services business on the African continent by operating revenue and assets, generating R44.48 billion in group revenue for the financial period ending March 2026. Its core operating subsidiaries are Openserve, which runs a 170,000+ km fiber network reaching 84% of South Africa's population and handling approximately 200 million PB of monthly data traffic, and BCX, which provides enterprise IT services including converged communications, cybersecurity, and IT hardware/software. Telkom also holds a 75% stake in Nigerian operator Multi-links, giving it a foothold in West Africa. Customer-facing product lines span mobile (prepaid, postpaid, SIM-only, with 25 million-plus subscribers), LTE, 5G, and a portfolio of fiber home-internet products (Stream Connect, Core & Endless Fibre, Easy Connect, Prepaid Fibre) distributed through partner networks such as Vumatel, FrogFoot, MetroFibre, and Octotel.
The group monetizes primarily through subscription-based recurring revenue: prepaid and postpaid mobile plans billed monthly or pay-as-you-go, monthly fiber broadband subscriptions with multiple speed tiers, and enterprise/managed services contracts through BCX. Distribution combines nationwide physical retail (Telkom Express stores in high-traffic locations such as airport malls and commercial districts) with self-service digital channels, including the MyTelkom App (iOS/Android), USSD codes, web QR portals, and an e-commerce storefront. Enterprise and government sales are executed via a dedicated BCX field-sales motion. Telkom has built a consumer ecosystem of sub-brands — Plug'd (18–24 youth platform), Telkom Pay (WhatsApp-based payments), Telkom Insure (device insurance), Telkom Learn (education), and Yep! (local-business marketplace) — all accessible through the MyTelkom App, designed to expand ARPU and reduce churn.
The technology stack is a multi-generation network combining Openserve fiber, 4G/LTE, and 5G, with proprietary elements including a Huawei-partnered TDD spectrum deployment and an in-house AI-driven network analytics platform. Strategic technology direction is anchored by a partnership with Oran Development Corporation and Nvidia to integrate AI into radio networks, and by an internal AI-enabled integrated digital platform that fuses network, business, and external data for sales, marketing, and investment decision-making. Recent corporate actions include an acting-CEO appointment at BCX to execute a turnaround emphasizing cybersecurity and IT hardware/software, and the launch of the TrailblazeHER accelerator under FutureMakers to build a women-owned tech supplier pipeline.
Telkom Sa firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Telkom Sa
- Legal name
- Telkom SA SOC Limited
- Website
- https://telkom.co.za
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Telkom SA SOC Limited is a South African state-owned telecommunications group operating mobile, fiber, LTE, and 5G services through its Openserve and BCX subsidiaries, serving over 25 million mobile subscribers and enterprise/government customers across South Africa and Nigeria.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Telkom Sa industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telecommunications Services
- NAICS
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112), Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711)
- SIC
- Radiotelephone Communications (4812), Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Communications Services, Nec (4899), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Enterprise & B2B Mobile Network Operators (HDAIAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Unified Communications & Collaboration Network Services (VoIP/QoS) (BPAEAEAI), Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Broadband Providers (HDAIABAE), Edge-Integrated Private Connectivity (MEC + Private 5G/Wi‑Fi) (HDAIAGAE)
Keywords
Where Telkom Sa is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Centurion
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
Telkom Sa business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Mobile Services: Mobile voice, data, and messaging services through prepaid and postpaid offerings serving over 25 million mobile subscribers.
- Fiber Connectivity: Fiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-business connectivity services through Openserve infrastructure, providing high-speed internet access.
- IT Solutions (BCX): ICT solutions, managed services, and IT consulting through BCX subsidiary targeting enterprise and government clients.
- Enterprise Development (FutureMakers): Grant funding and enterprise development programme supporting SMME development in the technology sector.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Prepaid mobile plans for individual consumers |
| Subscription | Monthly | Postpaid mobile plans for subscribers |
| Subscription | Monthly | Fiber broadband packages |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Telkom Sa product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Telkom provides integrated telecommunications services across South Africa, including mobile voice and data plans (prepaid and postpaid) for over 25 million subscribers, fiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-business broadband, LTE and 5G wireless connectivity, and enterprise-grade ICT solutions (managed services, cybersecurity, cloud, IT hardware/software) via its BCX subsidiary. The company also operates the Openserve wholesale fiber infrastructure spanning 170,000+ km and reaching 84% of South Africa's population.
Product overview
Telkom SA SOC Limited is a South African state-owned telecommunications company providing a comprehensive portfolio of consumer and enterprise products. The core offerings include mobile services (post-paid, prepaid, SIM-only) with over 25 million subscribers, and home internet solutions via fibre (Stream Connect, Prepaid Fibre through Openserve's 170,000km network, and partner networks including Vumatel and Octotel), LTE, and 5G. Enterprise capabilities are delivered through BCX (IT and communications services) and Openserve (fibre infrastructure). The consumer ecosystem includes youth platform Plug'd, marketplace Yep!, learning platform Telkom Learn, financial services via Telkom Pay and device insurance through Telkom Insure, all accessible through the MyTelkom App. Streaming entertainment is bundled via Amazon Prime Video, and the company operates an extensive retail footprint across South Africa with hundreds of stores and kiosks.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Plug'd: Youth platform for 18-24 year-olds offering exclusive bundles, lifestyle perks, and entertainment content
- Openserve
- BCX
- Yep
- Telkom Learn
- Telkom Pay
- Telkom Insure
Products and services
- Mobile Services Mobile voice, data, and device plans for consumer and business customers. Includes post-paid contracts, prepaid bundles, and SIM-only options with 25+ million subscribers.
- Openserve Fiber Infrastructure
- BCX Enterprise IT Services
- Fibre Home Internet
- LTE Wireless Internet
- 5G Mobile Services
- Plug'd Youth Platform
- Telkom Learn
- Telkom Pay
- Telkom Insure
- MyTelkom App
Quantifiable outcome
- 84% population coverage across South Africa
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Telkom Sa
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Telkom Sa technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature3 records
Telkom Sa partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Khoi TechcoreKhoi Tech received a R500,000 grant from Telkom's FutureMakers programme, an enterprise development initiative supporting technology SMME development in South Africa.
- HuaweicoreTelkom partnered with Huawei to pioneer TDD (Time-Division Duplex) spectrum technology, a significant advancement in mobile network infrastructure for enhanced data transmission capabilities.
- Spinnaker SupportminorSpinnaker Support is a US-based company providing enterprise software support services. The partnership involves reverse-billing agreements for services across multiple network operators.
- SaturatedminorSaturated participated in Telkom's FutureMakers enterprise development programme, receiving support and mentorship for business development.
- SoftTechz TechnologyminorSoftTechz Technology operates reverse-billing agreements with MTN, Vodacom, Telkom and Cell C networks, enabling seamless service delivery across multiple operators.
- Oran Development Corporation and NvidiacoreStrategic partnership to develop and integrate AI technology into radio networks, combining Oran Development Corporation's open radio access network expertise with Nvidia's AI computing capabilities.
- ACT (Association of Communications and Technology)minorACT is an industry body representing major telecommunications operators including Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, Cell C, Liquid and Rain, advocating for industry standards and regulatory engagement.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights8 records
Telkom Sa competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vodacom Group: Vodacom is South Africa's largest mobile network operator and Telkom's most direct competitor in mobile, fiber and enterprise ICT. Both serve consumer prepaid/postpaid, FTTH, and large enterprise/government customers in the same South African market.
- MTN Group: MTN is a pan-African mobile operator with a leading position in South Africa, competing head-to-head with Telkom in mobile voice/data, fiber, and enterprise. MTN also operates across multiple African markets, comparable in scale to Telkom's combined footprint.
- Cell C: Cell C is a South African mobile network operator competing directly with Telkom, MTN, and Vodacom in prepaid and postpaid mobile. Smaller scale but direct head-to-head in the same SA consumer and SME segments.
- Liquid Intelligent Technologies: Liquid operates a pan-African fiber backbone and wholesale/enterprise connectivity business directly comparable to Telkom's Openserve and BCX divisions. Same target customer profile (enterprise, carrier, government) across African markets.
- Rain: Rain is a South African mobile data-only operator focused on 4G/5G fixed-wireless access — overlapping with Telkom's LTE and 5G FWA products in the same local market, particularly for home broadband.
Emerging players
- Vumatel: Vumatel is a leading South African fiber-to-the-home operator. While Telkom partners with Vumatel for fiber reselling, Vumatel is also a partial competitor in the FTTH space, especially in metropolitan suburbs.
Regional players
- Safaricom: Safaricom is Kenya's dominant integrated telecom operator (mobile + fiber + M-Pesa fintech) — a strong functional comparable to Telkom's vertically integrated mobile/fiber/fintech stack, though operating in East Africa rather than South Africa.
- Airtel Africa: Airtel Africa is a pan-African mobile operator with overlapping service portfolio (mobile voice/data, mobile money, enterprise). Comparable in scale and African-market focus, though with broader geographic reach outside South Africa.
Broad incumbents
- Dimension Data / NTT DATA: Dimension Data (now part of NTT DATA) is a South African-origin global IT services and systems integrator — directly comparable to Telkom's BCX subsidiary in enterprise IT services, managed services, and cybersecurity across Africa and globally.
Others
- Huawei (carrier business): Huawei is a strategic technology partner to Telkom (TDD spectrum, radio networks) and a global vendor of telecom infrastructure equipment. Included as an ecosystem participant and enabling technology provider for Telkom's mobile network rollout.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Telkom Sa social profiles
Digital presenceTelkom Sa financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Telkom Sa leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Telkom Sa subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Telkom Sa funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Telkom Sa M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Telkom Sa
What does Telkom Sa do?
Telkom provides integrated telecommunications services across South Africa, including mobile voice and data plans (prepaid and postpaid) for over 25 million subscribers, fiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-business broadband, LTE and 5G wireless connectivity, and enterprise-grade ICT solutions (managed services, cybersecurity, cloud, IT hardware/software) via its BCX subsidiary. The company also operates the Openserve wholesale fiber infrastructure spanning 170,000+ km and reaching 84% of South Africa's population.
Is Telkom Sa a public or private company?
Telkom Sa is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Telkom Sa founded?
Telkom Sa was founded in 1991. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Telkom Sa based?
Telkom Sa is headquartered in Centurion, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Telkom Sa make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Mobile Services are the primary driver. The others are fiber Connectivity, IT Solutions (BCX) and enterprise Development (FutureMakers).
Who are Telkom Sa's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vodacom Group, MTN Group, Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Rain. Vumatel is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are Safaricom and Airtel Africa. Dimension Data / NTT DATA is listed as a broad incumbent. Huawei (carrier business) is listed as an others.
Does Telkom Sa have an API?
No public API is recorded for Telkom Sa.
What industry is Telkom Sa in?
Telkom Sa's product category is Telecommunications Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAAAB, Enterprise & B2B Mobile Network Operators, with a secondary code of BPAEAEAI, Unified Communications & Collaboration Network Services (VoIP/QoS). Its NAICS code is 517112 and its SIC code is 4812.