Background

When Rare TV took on Extreme Airport Africa, they weren’t messing around. Five countries. Five months. A rotating crew of 30. And a whole lot of WhatsApp.

With filming locations across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Madagascar, the stakes were high- and so were the altitudes (helicopter scenes, anyone?). Production Manager Holly Hubble needed telecoms that could keep up with the chaos.

Lucky for her, she’d worked with GTN before. From Argentina to Chile on Celebrity Race Across the World, we’d already proven we could handle complex international logistics. So when the call came in? We were ready for action (and better signal bars).

The Challenge

Growing a global restaurant group with multiple legacy phone systems

Lights, Camera… Buffering? Not on Our Watch.

Filming across five countries. Crew constantly on the move. Helicopter rides, risk assessments, WhatsApp workflows, and scenes shot on smartphones. It was a production dream - with a telecom nightmare waiting in the wings.

Rare TV’s production team needed mobile connectivity that could keep up with their globe-trotting, app-juggling, edge-of-your-seat schedule. The brief?

1. Reliable SIMs that worked across five African nations

2. Zero-hassle SIM management for rotating crew on the fly

3. Real-time support, even in remote areas

4. Clear cost visibility (because no one likes surprise data bills)

As Production Manager Holly put it:

“We run everything off WhatsApp, and sometimes even film on our phones. Without connectivity, we’d grind to a halt.”

The Solution

Choosing a trusted partner with a hosted telephony service

GTN delivered a telecom setup so slick, it practically deserved its own IMDb listing. (Note to self: pitch “The SIM Supremacy” as a spin-off.) When production chaos loomed, we showed up with the calm, the clarity, and the connectivity.

• Flexible SIM setup – Crew changes? No problem. SIMs were allocated instantly and effortlessly.

• Global coverage – SIMs worked seamlessly across the UK and Southern Africa. Just plug in and start filming.

• Smart spend control – Real-time alerts kept data usage on track and budgets in check.

• Always-on support – Real people, ready to help 24/7 — no bots, no scripts, no stress.

“The eSIMs made it so easy. I could allocate them as crew arrived, and adjust on the go. Invaluable.” - Holly Hubble, Production Manager, Rare TV

The Results:

Connectivity So Good, It Deserved Its Own Credit Roll 

• Easy SIM management – SIMs were assigned and rotated smoothly, so the team could focus on filming.

• Seamless workflow – Video files, approvals, and comms moved fast with no dropped calls or downtime.

• Reliable safety comms – Pilots and producers stayed in sync with instant communication, even mid-air.

• Clear, predictable costs – No surprise charges. Just simple, transparent billing.

Holly said it best: “If we hadn’t had good cell service, it would’ve been a nightmare. GTN helped us approve risk assessments and stay safe- instantly.”

Conclusion

Rare TV had a complex brief. GTN made it simple.

Holly didn’t need another supplier, she needed a partner who got it. Who understood that when you’re filming helicopters landing in remote Africa, “Can you hear me now?” isn’t the vibe. With GTN on their side, the crew stayed connected, the SIMs stayed sorted, and the production stayed on track, across borders, time zones, and one very ambitious filming schedule.

The result? Zero telecom headaches. Full creative focus. Happy production teams (and even happier budget meetings).

GTN isn’t just about keeping the signal strong. We’re about keeping your story moving.Wherever your team needs to be - we’ll make sure your comms are already there.