MTN Business underscores convergence

This comes as the mobile operator seeks new revenue streams in a saturated voice market and ever-increasing competitive industry.

The introduction of MTN UniPresence

Phase two of its convergence “roadmap” sees the introduction of MTN UniPresence, which allows any cellular device to become an extension of an organisation's managed IP PBX (Private -Automatic- Branch Exchange).

MTN Business GM Justin Colyn explains that the solution offers the features and functionality of a traditional PABX system. Now, he notes, it does not require a desk phone, as users can make and receive calls wherever they are, through one single number as even though they are sitting at their desks.

He explains that the offering is in no way whatsoever a “call-forwarding” solution, because - instead of forwarding fixed-line calls to mobiles - it allows clients to move between the organisation's fixed-line to mobile phone using one number for any communication device.

The timing of the straightway phase is on point

Colyn explains that the timing of the straightway phase is on point. Having rolled out the hosted PBX solution in the first leg of its strategy, the device however acts as a foundation platform to the UniPresence solution.

“Currently, most employees within a company have multiple numbers and mailboxes for different devices and communications tools. This means that when clients or colleagues try to contact them they can try a number of options - from desk phones, soft phones and mobile phones.

“But, the reality is that these multiple numbers have in fact impacted costs and productivity negatively,” explains MTN Business executive Angela Gahagan.

The back of the hype of cloud computing

Colyn adds that on the back of the hype of cloud computing and extensive unified communications, enterprises are moving past the buzz of these concepts and are but seeing the benefits to productivity and the evolution of their legacy systems.

Colyn explains that much of the future growth of MTN Business' convergence play hinges on how effectively the company educates its clients on the concepts of the mobile worker and the cost savings of convergence.

The end of the year

Phase three of MTN Business' convergence strategy will be deployed earlier the end of the year and will feature, among other things, a video solution, concludes Colyn.