The three newest MVNOs in South Africa are Old Mutual Connect, Spar Mobile and Stadio Connect. Old Mutual Connect entered the market in October 2024 and was the second insurance-focused MVNO after Clientele Mobile. Old Mutual Connect has not been clear about which network operators it relies on for infrastructure support as part of it has described as a "multi-operator core network agreement".
Spar Mobile and Stadio Connect both entered the market in 2025 and both rely on MTN for infrastructure. Stadio Connect is uniquely positioned as the first education sector MVNO in South Africa.
MTN's growing market share is encroaching on Cell C's leadership in the MVNO sector. Of South Africa's 22 MVNOs, 13 are signed onto market pioneer Cell C and eight onto MTN. Cell C CEO Jorge Mendes vowed at a media briefing in May to defend Cell C's leadership in the space. But, Cell C is increasingly up against an expanding array of competitors.
"The MVNO market has started organising itself around sectors like banking, ISPs, media, telco and retail. Each subsector has mini-propositions where each player competes against its peers, other MVNOs and even the larger mobile network operators, which is very good for the market," said Nel.
MVNO Carrier C-Connect Cell C Spot Mobile Cell C Mr Price Mobile Cell C and Vodacom Me You Cell C Trace Mobile Cell C Standard Bank Connect MTN PnP Mobile MTN Boxercom MTN TFG Connect MTN Uconnect Mobile Cell C Purple Mobile Cell C Capitec Connect Cell C FNB Connect Cell C Shoprite Knect Mobile Cell C Melon Mobile MTN Afrihost AirMobile MTN Clientele Mobile Cell C Hello Mobile Cell C Smart Mobile Cell C Old Mutual Connect Multi-operator Spar Mobile MTN Stadio Connect MTNSouth Africa's MVNO market will continue to grow and come to closely resemble places like Mexico, where the combined value of MVNOs - these include Lyca Mobile and Walmart-owned BAIT - is larger than AT T, a major network operator in that country, BMIT said. However, not all MVNOs are guaranteed to survive, said Nel.
