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Title: The competitive strategy analysis of the South African telecommunication industry

Authors: Phindile R. Nene

Addresses: Department of Business Management, College of Economic and Management Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract: The study used both positivism and interpretivism to examine the competitive dynamics of the South African telecommunications (telco) industry. Subsequently, a multiphase mixed-methods design was applied. The study triangulated multiple data sources to get in-depth insights into the telco competitive strategies in the South African telco landscape. The competitive strategies and financial statements of Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom, Rain, and Liquid Telecom were analysed to determine the competitive industry overview. The study discovered multifaceted factors that directly affect the competitive South African telco industry, such as market dominance, technological disruptions, 5G advancements, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) data price regulation, competition laws, and product differentiation. The results of this study provide a practical contribution on how mobile operators can strengthen their competitive strategies.

Keywords: telecommunication; strategy; industry; competition; mobile operators; financial sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2026.154085

International Journal of Economics and Business Research, 2026 Vol.30 No.6, pp.68 - 83

Received: 12 Jan 2026
Accepted: 26 Feb 2026
Published online: 11 Jun 2026 *