umlaut analysed the mobile networks in Johannesburg and Pretoria with regards to mobile network performance. They measured smartphone voice and data performance based on extensive drivetests.
The key takeaways from the results are:
- In data coverage, both MTN and Vodacom show a 5G technology share of more than 20% for Johannesburg and Pretoria. MTN leads the competitor market with the highest 5G technology share.
- MTN leads in 5MB file upload speeds over 5G.
- MTN achieved the fastest 5G HTTP download speeds with 10% of the users browsing with more than 380 Mbit/s 60 Mbit/s.
- In YouTube 4K Streaming for 5G only, MTN users are experiencing the highest average resolution. Vodacom has the best average resolution across all technologies.
“umlaut tested and measured the performance of its voice and data services on smartphones in comparison to other LTE/UMTS/GSM mobile radio networks in metropolitan and rural areas of South Africa.
The audit was done as a performance benchmark performed by umlaut between 04.02.2020 – 17.02.2020 in cities and towns as well as on connection roads. Dedicated measurements have been executed as drive tests outdoors using a Samsung Galaxy S10 cat16 Smartphone 1000 Mbit/s Download / 105 Mbit/s Upload. All data measurements have been performed in 4G preferred mode. Voice measurements have been done in 4G/4G preferred mode on both sides, while call origin has been alternated.
In addition crowdsourced performance data has been collected and evaluated between CW34 2019 and CW05 2020.
Excerpt from the Report by umlaut
The following pages provide a comparative overview about the performance results observed for the different tested service types.”
