MTN is the world’s leading telecommunications service provider in emerging markets with over 100 million subscribers across Africa and the Middle East. MTN’s strong African presence means that it can launch and support continent wide services, like its one rate roaming charges, with greater ease.<\/p>\n
One of the complaints from local MTN subscribers is that their African business colleagues and friends do not always see their Calling Line Identity (CLI). This sparked speculation that MTN is using least cost routing (LCR) to save on African call termination rates.<\/p>\n
MTN SA however made it clear that they do not use LCR for international calls. “Because MTN SA does not have direct links to all countries, it relies on third party operators to transmit voice calls originating from South Africa to most countries, including in Africa,” MTN said.<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately, MTN SA has no control of these voice calls once they are transmitted to one of our third party partners who, in turn, use their discretion on how to route the calls.” <\/p>\n
It is understood that MTN’s international partners are therefore to blame for the loss of CLI transmission and functionality.<\/p>\n
MTN pointed out that they are currently engaging these third party service providers on this issue and are also in negotiations aimed at establishing direct links with a number of countries, including Nigeria. <\/p>\n
“MTN has signed on a new partner operator with whom we are testing call transmission to evaluate its quality of service, including transmission of CLI,” MTN said.<\/p>\n