Cellular network operator MTN had more than 24 million subscribers at the end of March, representing a 55% increase year on year.
The subscriber base of 24.185 million is 4% larger than the 23.189 million at the end of December.
International operations rose 8% since December, to total 13.986 million subscribers, or 58% of the total subscriber base.
International subscribers accounted for 56% of the total base in December.
"These figures reflect the development of the MTN Group into an increasingly diversified entity," says CEO Phuthuma Nhleko, who adds the proposed R33.5 billion acquisition of Middle Eastern operator Investcom will accelerate this trend.
The South African operations account for 10.199 million subscribers.
The group defines a subscriber as someone who has made or received a revenue-generating call in the preceding 90 days.
Blended average revenue per user (ARPU) in SA amounted to R155, down from R169 in December and R184 a year ago.
Contract ARPU of R496 compares with R541 in December, while prepaid ARPU of R87 compares with R93 in December.
Nigeria remains the largest international operation, accounting for 9.036 million subscribers.
ARPU in Nigeria was $19 in March, compared with $22 in December and $40 a year ago.
MTN rival Vodacom reported last week it had connected its 20 millionth South African subscriber on 10 May.
Vodacom had a total of 21.5 million subscribers at the end of December. It has yet to report its end-March subscriber figures.
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