Telkom-MTN: Phone firms mum on mobile rumours

Telkom and MTN are rumoured to be in talks about Telkom Mobile, in an attempt to stem the impact of the loss-making unit on its parent company. On Friday, Telkom would not comment on the speculation, saying: “As communicated at Telkom’s interim results announcement, there are discussions with various parties regarding Telkom Mobile.” Eben Albertyn, the chief technology officer at MTN, said his company engaged with companies such as Telkom on matters like roaming agreements and leased lines, and would continue to do so. “In… accordance with good governance MTN does not comment on market rumour and speculation,” Albertyn said. Last week at Telkom’s interim results presentation, chief executive Sipho Maseko said the company was looking to “de-risk” its mobile operation. But it would still offer an integrated fixed and mobile approach. Maseko told Business Report it would be dangerous to comment at this point, “from a regulatory point of view it is dangerous because we need to file things. We are in conversation around options with regard to mobile and we are looking to conclude them before the end of the financial year [in March],” he said.