Connectivity Without Limits: MTN Powers Global Growth with Lumen Network-as-a-Service

When your business depends on staying connected, no matter where you are, flexibility and reliability are essential. MTN, a subsidiary of FMC Globalsat, delivers satellite and wireless next-generation communications across the maritime, energy, government and enterprise sectors. With help from Lumen and its Network-as-a-Service (NaaS), MTN can keep its customers connected virtually anywhere, anytime.

Meeting Customers Where They Are

MTN’s customers operate in some of the world’s most dynamic environments. Whether it’s a ferry crossing international waters, an oil rig powering energy production or a live broadcast from a remote location, connectivity is critical.

To keep up with these demands, MTN turned to Lumen® Network-as-a-Service—a flexible, scalable networking solution that delivers speed, real-time connectivity, low latency and reliability on demand—to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Instead of waiting weeks or months for traditional circuits, MTN enjoyed the luxury of being able to log into Lumen® Control Center, and with a few clicks, receive high-speed internet and secure Ethernet connections live, within minutes.

“Success on my side is really being able to have customers that have ‘always on’ connectivity, but also at the same time, having that best-in-class service. Not always do those two things go hand-in-hand,” says Director of Engineering Brian Govanlu. “We rely on partners like Lumen, where those particular connectivity options are available to us.”

Lumen also delivered key results that unlocked MTN’s digital pursuit of a better end-user experience, including:

• Zero outages on Lumen-provided IP transit
• 10 Gbps+ bandwidth delivered with sub-5ms latency
• Fast scalability with on-demand network provisioning for global events and critical operations

“Short time frames, burstability, flexibility—those are the things we get out of our relationship with Lumen,” Govanlu added.

From Everyday Use Cases to Global Events, MTN Delivers

A cornerstone of MTN’s strategy, Lumen Network-as-a-Service has enabled the company to scale rapidly, respond fast to unforeseen industry change and innovate boldly—without the heavy lifting.

MTN’s self-proclaimed goal is to take the best technologies in every segment and make them available to its customers to provide the best-in-class experience, so that each of those segments can rely on MTN as its sole communications and internet services provider.

“We’re very client focused,” says MTN Vice President of Operations Diego Bedin. “We’re here to serve our customers and resolve their issues at all times. It’s always our focus to be customer-centric, to be tailored to the customer, to understand what they need, to listen first and then execute on what they need.”

While MTN’s primary business offering remains focused on connectivity, a few value-added services also come into play when speaking about the company’s ongoing transformation, added Govanlu.

“Historically and legacy-wise, we’ve provided VSAT services and satellite services, but in today’s age, we now have newer technologies,” he said. “We have low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services, for example, so it’s our job to make sure we blend those technologies with other solutions like Wi-Fi and 5G services that are available near shore, and obviously on land as well too, with that on-premises equipment. We need to rely on partners like Lumen, where we need those particular connectivity options available to us.”

What MTN Uses Network-as-a-Service For

MTN leverages Lumen Network-as-a-Service capabilities to meet dynamic connectivity needs with speed and flexibility. One key use case is Internet On-Demand (IoD), which enables MTN to rapidly deploy high-speed internet for events, government projects and remote sites.

“With the NaaS ports on the Lumen Control Center, I can go in and order IoD and from that particular port, wherever that port may be, I can get direct internet access to use at any point in time,” Govanlu said.

Another critical application is Ethernet On-Demand (EoD), which allows MTN to create secure, point-to-point connections between its global points of presence (POPs) for managing services and infrastructure.

“At the same time on that same port is Ethernet on-Demand, which allows me to create a connection between any two points within the Lumen Network,” added Govanlu. “So if I have a NaaS port, for example in Los Angeles, and I have another NaaS port in Washington D.C., which we do, we can create a logical connection on the Lumen Network between them. It serves the purpose that I need, and I can use it flexibly. I can turn it up, I can turn it down or I can increase the bandwidth on it. It helps us in a lot of different cases where I don’t know if I’m going to be in a certain location for 36 months.”

The Benefits of Network-as-a-Service for MTN

By leveraging Lumen Network-as-a-Service, MTN unlocks a range of advantages that directly impact their ability to deliver exceptional connectivity and service to customers worldwide, such as:

• Speed: Services go live in minutes, not months.
• Scalability: Bandwidth adjusts on the fly, from megabits to gigabits.
• Cost Control: Pay hourly for what you use, perfect for short-term projects.
• Reliability: Built on the trusted global Lumen Network, so customers can stay connected when it matters most.

“Internet is a commodity,” Bedin says. “We’re fast and nimble, we meet the customer where they’re at, tailor services to what they need, and I think that’s what has made us successful. Not everybody can give that level of service that we can, and Lumen Network-as-a-Service platform has enabled us to do that. Our support, our dedication, the people that are involved—each time everybody goes that extra mile and gives that extra effort, that makes the whole thing a better experience for everybody.”

Real-World Impact

These capabilities have enabled MTN to deliver reliable connectivity in some of the world’s most demanding environments, as demonstrated in several high-profile events:

• Major worldwide sporting events: Keeping fans connected during the biggest games on Earth
• Live from war zones: Supporting broadcasts from front lines
• Special Events: Delivering pop-up connectivity for trade shows and car shows

“You name it, we’ve been there,” says Govanlu. “And Lumen helps us make it happen.”

Looking Ahead: A Single Vision with Extensive Reach

MTN isn’t slowing down. With global operations and plans to expand into Asia, they’re building the future of global connectivity—literally from the ground up—utilizing existing satellite and terrestrial networks, and even those in LEO or GEO orbit above the Earth’s equator. And with help from Lumen Network-as-a-Service, they have the agility to keep customers connected—virtually anywhere, anytime.

To learn more about MTN’s transformation, read the full customer success story.

Visit our customer story library to learn how organizations in virtually every industry are achieving their business objectives.

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