Business
MTN Tops Vodacom in South Africa’s 2025 Voice Quality Rankings
A clearer connection for local callers
If you have ever grumbled about a dropped call or a muffled “hello” on the other end of the line, you are not alone. Call quality remains one of the biggest pain points for mobile users across South Africa. This year, however, new findings suggest that MTN customers are enjoying the smoothest ride when it comes to voice calls.
According to MyBroadband Insights’ 2025 Mobile Voice Network Quality Report, MTN has taken the crown as the country’s best-performing voice network. The win is based on over 34,000 test calls placed between May and July 2025 across cities, towns, and long stretches of highway. Researchers clocked more than 10,000 kilometres to ensure the results reflected everyday experiences for ordinary South Africans.
How the tests were run
To get an accurate picture, the study used the latest smartphones equipped with advanced network testing software from Keysight. Calls were evaluated using international standards set by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. Four key factors were measured: how often calls successfully connected, how often they dropped, how long it took to set them up, and how clear the sound was on the line. These are the same metrics recognised by local regulator ICASA under its subscriber charter.
Who came out on top
MTN impressed by connecting the most calls and dropping the fewest, earning an overall score of 77.47 out of 100. Vodacom, though still strong, came second with a score of 75.09. The operator was especially quick to connect calls, clocking in at under two seconds on average.
Rain and Telkom tied for third place, with Rain standing out for speech clarity at 4.48 on the Mean Opinion Score scale. Cell C, however, had a rough outing, landing far behind the competition with a score of just 34.09. With calls taking nearly eight seconds to connect and a higher drop rate, it was the clear laggard of the pack.
Why this matters for South Africans
For many in South Africa, reliable voice calls are still a lifeline. Despite the popularity of instant messaging, traditional calling remains essential in areas where mobile data is costly or unstable. In rural towns and along intercity routes, clear voice quality is often the difference between a seamless work call and endless frustration.
The results have already sparked conversations online, with users applauding MTN’s strong showing while Vodacom loyalists point to their network’s speed and long-standing reputation. Some are also calling for operators like Cell C to invest heavily in their infrastructure if they want to remain competitive.
Looking ahead
South Africa’s mobile landscape is one of constant rivalry, and network operators are well aware that small margins can make a big difference to customers. While MTN may be in the lead today, Vodacom remains close on its heels. The true winners, though, are everyday South Africans who stand to benefit from healthier competition and ongoing investment in connectivity.
Also read: Capitec Tops the Charts as Africa’s Most Valuable Bank in 2025
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Source: MyBroadband
Featured Image: The South African
