MVNO Nation 2024: PortaOne’s Blueprint for MVNO Success in Africa  

 
At the MVNO Nation Africa 2024, Akim Benamara had the pleasure of speaking with Andriy Zhylenko, CEO of PortaOne. The discussion focused on the future of mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Africa and the innovative solutions PortaOne brings to the table. 

Zhylenko highlighted Africa as a critical testing ground for global technology advancements, with new companies rapidly entering markets such as in Nigeria and other countries. PortaOne’s extensive experience in business support systems (BSS) and charging systems enables them to provide invaluable expertise to MVNOs. Zhylenko emphasized the need for MVNOs to develop custom-tailored solutions for their specific market segments.  

“It used to be that MVNOs were seen as just a different brand or a slightly different market segment, but that’s not the case anymore. Those MVNOs who will succeed have to create their own type of solution, custom-tailored to their market segment and customer group. They must build and integrate. That is why we strongly emphasize the ability of MVNOs to combine different components from us and our technology partners and create something on their own with low-code AI to create something that truly delivers value to their target customer group.” 

– Andriy Zhylenko, CEO, PortaOne

PortaOne’s transition to an agile development cycle 12 years ago has been a game-changer. The company is now embracing cloud technologies to enhance agility further, allowing for the rapid deployment of additional solution components. This strategy not only keeps PortaOne competitive but also enables local African tech companies to innovate and scale globally through a cloud marketplace for value-added services. 

Discussing futureproofing, Zhylenko acknowledged the uncertainty but stressed the importance of continuous innovation and input from various stakeholders. He also predicted a shift in the industry towards software, partnerships, and specialized customer value delivery. He pointed out that telecom operators may face competition from unexpected quarters, including tech giants like Microsoft. 

“We’re trying to ensure we will be here for another 20 years to support our customers, taking advice and input from a variety of customers across different industries and sizes of telecom operators. We do our own technology research and bring in engineering power not just from our internal engineers but also from our customers, system integrators, and even their customers.”

– Andriy Zhylenko, CEO, PortaOne

PortaOne’s commitment to agile development and cloud integration, coupled with a focus on custom-tailored solutions, positions the company as a leader in driving digital transformation. As the industry evolves, PortaOne’s forward-thinking approach and dedication to supporting its customers will be crucial in shaping the future of telecommunications in Africa and beyond.