Telkom Sa

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.

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

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

• Mobile telecommunications services
• Fiber broadband internet
• Enterprise ICT solutions
• Wholesale network infrastructure
• Mobile network operator

Headquarters

HQ city

Centurion

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Mobile Services: Mobile voice, data, and messaging services through prepaid and postpaid offerings serving over 25 million mobile subscribers.
2. Fiber Connectivity: Fiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-business connectivity services through Openserve infrastructure, providing high-speed internet access.
3. IT Solutions (BCX): ICT solutions, managed services, and IT consulting through BCX subsidiary targeting enterprise and government clients.
4. Enterprise Development (FutureMakers): Grant funding and enterprise development programme supporting SMME development in the technology sector.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Khoi TechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Khoi Tech received a R500,000 grant from Telkom's FutureMakers programme, an enterprise development initiative supporting technology SMME development in South Africa.
• HuaweicoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Telkom partnered with Huawei to pioneer TDD (Time-Division Duplex) spectrum technology, a significant advancement in mobile network infrastructure for enhanced data transmission capabilities.
• Spinnaker SupportminorOthersSpinnaker Support is a US-based company providing enterprise software support services. The partnership involves reverse-billing agreements for services across multiple network operators.
• SaturatedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaturated participated in Telkom's FutureMakers enterprise development programme, receiving support and mentorship for business development.
• SoftTechz TechnologyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSoftTechz Technology operates reverse-billing agreements with MTN, Vodacom, Telkom and Cell C networks, enabling seamless service delivery across multiple operators.
• Oran Development Corporation and NvidiacoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic 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)minorOthersACT 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/TelkomZA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/telkom
• Facebookfacebook.com/TelkomZA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/telkom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Telkom Sa