Telkom Group CEO Serame Taukobong believes that telecoms businesses should be at the forefront of implementing AI technology in order to boost efficiencies.

Taukobong spoke with ITWeb Africa on the sidelines of the annual Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference, held in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where he discussed AI and telecommunications.

On BCX, Taukobong told ITWeb that the business is still looking for a partner and has widened its options to finalise a deal.

He said: “We are even considering disposing majority shareholding because that will help attract international investors. That process has started.”

Turning to the tower business, which is also on sale, Taukobong said a deal is imminent.

Telkom Group’s Serame Taukobong.

Telkom's plan to unbundle Swiftnet was first announced in September 2021, when then-CEO Sipho Maseko stated that the unit's value was not fairly reflected in the company's share price.

However, last year, the telephony company abandoned its initial plan to list Swiftnet on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and began looking for a buyer for the business.

Swiftnet has continued commercialising its portfolio in the current reporting quarter, according to Telkom.

It added that Swiftnent achieved marginal revenue increase of 0.9% to R1,304 million, led by the installation of 66 additional eight new in-building coverage solutions sites.

Taukobong also said in the interview that a deal to sell more than 6,000 Telkom towers was close.

“We have two bidders and are presently in price negotiations; we hope to have binding offers for the business by the end of September,” he said.