Telkom (South Africa)

Telkom SA SOC Limited (commonly known as Telkom) is a South African telecommunications company. It is a publicly traded company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Historically, Telkom held a monopoly on telecommunications services in South Africa, but deregulation has led to increased competition.

History

Telkom's history traces back to the establishment of the Post and Telegraph Department during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was later privatized, going through various stages of restructuring and liberalization. This process involved the separation of postal services from telecommunications and the subsequent introduction of competition into the market.

Services

Telkom provides a range of telecommunications services to both consumers and businesses, including:

Fixed-line telephony: Traditional landline telephone services.
Broadband internet: Various internet access options, including DSL, fibre, and wireless technologies.
Mobile telephony: Through its mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) partnerships and its own offerings.
Data centre services: Providing infrastructure for data storage and management.
ICT Solutions: Offering a range of enterprise-level IT solutions and services.

Market Position

Telkom remains a significant player in the South African telecommunications market, although its market share has decreased with the rise of competitors such as MTN, Vodacom, and Cell C. The company continues to invest in infrastructure upgrades and new technologies to maintain its competitiveness.

Ownership and Structure

Telkom is a publicly traded company, with its shares traded on the JSE. The South African government, while no longer the majority shareholder, retains a significant stake in the company. The exact ownership structure varies over time depending on share buybacks and other market activities.

Challenges and Future Outlook