South Africa’s incumbent fixed-line operator Telkom has said it is looking to restart talks with AT&T over the pair’s pan-African alliance, admitting that it has brought in little new business to date. “The partnership has not progressed to an extent we would like… I am going to re-ignite discussions with AT&T,” Telkom’s acting CEO Jeffrey Hedberg told Reuters in an interview this week. Telkom and AT&T signed a memorandum of understanding in April 2009 allowing the US operator’s multinational clients in Africa to use Telkom’s pan-continental network, which reaches into 35 countries. According to Reuters, the alliance aimed to win business from foreign firms expanding on the continent, but has failed to win many contracts.

Meanwhile, Hedberg said that Telkom was still on track to re-enter South Africa’s mobile market. The firm has previously announced plans to invest up to ZAR6 billion (US$810 million) over the next five years to launch mobile services alongside its fixed offerings. Telkom has been looking to launch its own mobile service since divesting its 50 percent stake in South Africa’s number one mobile player, Vodacom, two years ago. “We are working very hard and remain committed to launch our mobile [offering] before year-end,” Hedberg said, though he ruled out making acquisitions or chasing new licences.