South African mobile operator MTN Group and LotusFlare, a U.S.-based software development company, have announced a strategic partnership to drive the launch of their new digital brand, called Pi. The initiative aims to offer customers a fully digital experience in purchasing and managing telecommunications services.
The solution is based on the DNO™ Cloud platform, developed by LotusFlare, a cloud-native system that allows users to sign up for 5G mobile services, fixed wireless internet, and eSIM for travel in just a few minutes via a mobile app. The process eliminates the need for contracts, credit checks, and call centers by consolidating all features into a single digital interface.
According to Tech Africa News, the platform supports the entire Pi brand ecosystem, including digital customer experiences, product catalog, order management, billing and collection systems, as well as eSIM management. The infrastructure is hosted on public clouds and was implemented in compliance with South African regulations.
According to the companies, adopting DNO™ Cloud will accelerate the launch of new services and enable continuous improvements, setting a new standard for customer experience and operational efficiency in the South African market.
For Sam Gadodia, CEO of LotusFlare, the partnership marks a turning point for the telecommunications sector in South Africa. “This partnership is a milestone not only for MTN, but for the entire telecommunications industry in South Africa. Built on the DNO™ Cloud, Pi represents a bold step forward in how telecommunications services are designed, delivered, and experienced, unlocking new possibilities in South Africa and beyond,” he said.
For his part, Ernst Fonternel, a telecommunications executive, emphasized that the collaboration reinforces the company’s leadership in a rapidly transforming sector.
“Our partnership with LotusFlare to launch Pi represents a key step in redefining the customer experience in South Africa. By accelerating our digital capabilities, we are not only transforming how we serve customers but also reinforcing MTN’s leadership position in an ever-evolving telecommunications landscape,” he stated.
According to Tech Africa News, the initiative comes at a time when African operators are seeking to accelerate the digitization of their services, reducing operational costs and offering simpler and faster processes to consumers.
