When it comes to the best and worst mobile networks – MTN Tops South Africa’s Mobile Network Rankings
MyBroadband Insights Q3 2025 Mobile Network Quality Report (Analysis contextualised by CommsCloud — Africa’s IoT Connectivity Expert) [updated 7th November 2025]
What It Means for IoT Uptime and Enterprise Deployments – the Connection Between Network Quality and IoT Reliability
Every IoT deployment — from dashcams and push-to-talk radios to connected logistics systems — depends on one thing: reliable mobile networks performance. In Africa, where fleets and field operations span thousands of kilometres and multiple operators, choosing the right underlying network matters more than ever.
That’s why reports like MyBroadband Insights’ Q3 2025 Mobile Networks Quality Report offer more than consumer insight — they provide critical intelligence for IoT architects, OEMs, and enterprise connectivity planners seeking real uptime across the continent.
MTN Still Leads the Pack
According to MyBroadband Insights’ latest report, MTN continues to deliver the best mobile networks in South Africa, extending its lead over competitors.
The study was based on 313,632 speed tests conducted nationwide between 1 July and 30 September 2025, combining crowdsourced data with 20,000 km of dedicated drive testing.
📊 Average Download Speeds
MTN also dominated performance in all major metros — Tshwane, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nelson Mandela Bay, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, and Mangaung — thanks to continued investment in LTE and 5G infrastructure.
Network Quality Scores (Out of 10)
Cell C held second place overall — its strong upload speeds reflect the benefits of operating on MTN’s hosted virtual radio access network and new optimisation strategies. Meanwhile, Vodacom led in 5G performance, underlining the value of sustained investment in next-generation mobile technologies.
Why This Matters for IoT Deployments
For businesses deploying connected assets, these rankings translate directly into IoT uptime and performance economics.
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Fleet and logistics operators rely on stable coverage across highways and borders to maintain real-time visibility.
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Security companies streaming live video from vehicles or remote sites need high throughput and low latency to avoid blackouts.
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OEMs and system integrators building telematics or AI-driven devices must match their firmware and SIM profiles to the most resilient underlying network layers.
This is where multi-IMSI IoT SIM technology, like CommsCloud’s Cloud Connect SIM, becomes essential — combining the best performing networks (including MTN) with autonomous failover and local breakout to ensure consistent connectivity no matter the region.
Built for Africa’s Connectivity Reality
At CommsCloud, we don’t just analyse reports — we design resilience into every SIM. Our Africa-first, multi-Core Network infrastructure ensures:
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Autonomous switching between operators like MTN, Vodacom, and Cell C.
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No roaming downtime, even when crossing borders.
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Real-time visibility and control over every SIM, device, and session.
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OEM-ready integration for fleets, insurers, and industrial IoT deployments.
In short: even the best network can experience outages — but your devices shouldn’t.
Real Uptime, Real ROI
MTN’s continued dominance is good news for enterprise IoT in South Africa. It shows that infrastructure investment pays off — and highlights why multi-network strategies are the only sustainable way to achieve always-on connectivity across the continent.
Cloud Connect SIMs from CommsCloud, powered by floLIVE’s multi-IMSI technology, leverage these top-performing networks to deliver borderless, high-uptime IoT connectivity for Africa’s most demanding industries.