The partnership deal between MTN's enterprise business unit, MTN Business and global enterprise mobility management company MobileIron is expected to address the increasing requirement for on-premise solutions.

MobileIron has said that its platform will be integrated with MTN Business' cloud offering which forms part of the MTN Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) services.

As MobileIron explains, EMM affords enterprises the opportunity to use mobility as "a primary computing platform" through which employees are empowered to access business applications and content on devices.

For now the expanded offering is focused on the South African market, one in which EMM is being driven by compliance with regulation, such as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI), as well as the increased uptake of apps into the workplace.

Bilal Jagot, business unit manager for software, security and fixed voice at MTN Business South Africa, says "The service forms part of MTN South Africa, however, where there is a need or requirement in Africa, we can export this to other independent entities."

The level of need from the continent will depend on the strength of networks and customer requirement.

Jagot explains that in South Africa, there is a requirement for on-premise solutions, particularly within the financial sector with endpoint security on mobile devices being a key consideration.