SA Wholesale Telecoms Report 2026

Introduction

This report provides incisive analysis of key Wholesale Telecoms service categories, leading off the major international trends influencing the future of these markets. It explores the evolving wholesale services landscape and the competitive and regulatory environments in South Africa.

The report provides market sizing for South Africa, with competitor market share estimates, in 12 service categories, with revenue forecasts from 2026 to 2030.   Competitor profiles are provided for the 13 largest market players.

Table of Contents

Overview of Market

  • Summary of Key Market Trends
  • Overall wholesale telecoms market

International Trends

  • International Trends Overview (1) – Ongoing / Current
  • International Trends Overview (2) – New/Emerging Focus Points
  • Developed countries
  • Public funding
  • Wholesale fibre market trends
  • Open access networks
  • European open fibre networks
  • FTTH penetration by region
  • Global rankings
  • Key market developments
  • Tower ownership
  • Network sharing options
  • Network resourcing sharing
  • Inorganic growth opportunities
  • 5G deployment and new network sharing models
  • NaaSCo – an innovative new business model 
  • Internet Exchange Points (IXPs)
  • Edge computing
  • Early use cases
  • Early investment patterns and service categories

Government, Policy and the Regulatory Environment

  • Government, Policy and the Regulatory Environment Overview
  • Rapid deployment and sharing of infrastructure facilities
  • Competition Commission
  • ICASA
  • The ECA Amendment Bill of 2026 (1)
  • The ECA Amendment Bill of 2026 (2)
  • State Digital Infrastructure Company (SDIC)
  • Three Connectivity Streams for SA Connect Phase 2
  • Important spectrum policy updates
  • Possible further IMT spectrum assignment
  • Sub-GHz spectrum
  • IMT700 and IMT800 planning process
  • Additional mid-band spectrum
  • Dynamic spectrum access – Innovation spectrum regulation

Local Trends

  • Local Trends Overview
  • Initiatives to narrow the digital divide
  • Underserved Markets – status check
  • Industry transformation over a decade
  • 4G and 5G Coverage 
  • Rural vs Urban Coverage – ICASA
  • 5G Expansion – Future Outlook
  • Strong disparities in broadband coverage
  • New era of abundant international connectivity
  • Future plans from Google and Meta
  • National fibre connectivity service dynamics
  • Demand for carrier-neutral data centres, with interconnect facilities
  • NAPAfrica
  • INX-ZA
  • Open Access fibre operators
  • Evolution of MNO Sharing Models (Passive vs. Active)
  • Player MNO Action in the Local Market
  • Macro Environment for MNOs & Open Access Public Infrastructure
  • South African Active Infrastructure Sharing & Roaming Matrix (2026)

Market Sizing and Forecasts

  • Wholesale Telecoms Services Market Model – Taxonomy
  • Wholesale Telecoms Services Market Model – Methodology
  • Wholesale Telecoms Services Market Overview
  • Competitor Revenue Overview
  • Fixed Access Connectivity 
  • Wholesale Fixed Access Competitor Revenue
  • Mobile Facilities 
  • Mobile Facilities Competitor Revenue
  • Mobile Backhaul, Metro, National and International Transmission 
  • Transmission Competitor Revenue
  • Telco Colocation, Cross-connection & Hubbing 
  • Telco Colo, Cross-connection & Hubbing Competitor Revenue

Competitor Profiles

Annexe: Urban/Rural Coverage Disparity Analysis

(2023) 

Related research

  • BMIT SA Broadband Market 2025
  • BMIT MVNO Market, 2025

 

Deliverables and format

  • PDF PowerPoint format and Excel workbook
  • Clients are also entitled to a virtual presentation/workshop (may be combined with other topics at BMI-T’s discretion).

Further information

For further information and details on how to subscribe to this research please contact Anita Mathews on 011 540 8000 | 082 466 2317 | anita@bmit.africa

For more information on BMI-T and our research and consulting services please visit www.bmit.africa