The Great Betrayal of the Telco Market
It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but the reality is that the telecommunications industry is a bloody bloodbath, and only the strongest will survive. That’s why Lunga Siyo, the CEO of Telkom’s consumer business, has taken a hard stance on infrastructure investment – the future is not looking bright for our beloved telecoms operators.
According to Siyo, the recent merger wave in the industry is nothing more than a desperate attempt to stave off collapse. "Consolidation is inevitable," he told us. "It’s not a matter of whether or not it will happen, but rather who will come out on top. I just hope that the regulator won’t let the biggest bully, Vodacom, buy us out."
And let’s be real, who wouldn’t want to? With over 20 million subscribers, Telkom Mobile is no small player. In fact, they’re the third-largest in the country. But don’t get it twisted – they’re still tiny compared to Vodacom, and Siyo knows it. That’s why he’s urging investors to keep a close eye on his company, lest they be swept away by the corporate tidal wave that is the industry’s consolidating market.
"We’ve invested heavily in our network, and we won’t be leaving anyone out in the cold," Siyo says, his words dripping with confidence. But the question on everyone’s lips remains: how will he survive in a market dominated by two titans, MTN and Vodacom? Can his company even hold its ground?
As Siyo notes, "If you don’t get a minimum of 15% market share, your survival rate improves significantly. We’re at 20% and rising. Our Ebitda margins may not be the highest, but they’re ours, and we won’t let anyone take them from us."
He’s speaking, of course, of Telkom Mobile’s impressive Ebitda numbers, which have grown an impressive 6.8% year-over-year. "Our growth is organic," he boasts, "and our brand relevance is unparalleled. People trust us, and that’s worth a fortune in these uncertain times."
And there’s no doubt about it – uncertainty is the name of the game in this increasingly consolidated industry. The stakes are high, and only the bravest – or most cunning – players will survive. Telkom Mobile has its eyes fixed firmly on the prize, and we’re excited to see how this game unfolds. Stay tuned for the thrilling finale!
