INDUSTRY WATCH
reality, ultra-high definition video
streaming, artificial intelligence, robotics,
automated cars, and the Internet of
Things (IoT).
In another first, MTN is the first in the
southern hemisphere to demonstrate
AAA game streaming over its 5G
network. In a partnership with
Emerge Gaming, MTN demonstrated
GameGloud on 5G streamed to a
Huawei P40 Pro phone.
Godfrey Motsa, CEO, MTN South Africa
OUR 5G STRATEGY HAS BEEN
YEARS IN THE MAKING AND
WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT
WE HAVE BUILT A STRONG
FOUNDATION TO GROW
AND SUPPORT OUR 5G
ECOSYSTEM TO DELIVER AN
EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.
faster speeds and low latencies. MTN
has deployed sites in the 3.5 GHz
band in Johannesburg, Cape Town
and Bloemfontein.
• 2100MHz and 1800MHz at 35 sites:
MTN SA is introducing the re-farming
of some 4G spectrum to allow us to run
4G and 5G spectrum, at the same time,
in the same band. This allows for easier
migration of network technology from LTE
to 5G. It also allows us to deploy 5G using
existing spectrum assets in the absence of
additional high demand spectrum. MTN
has deployed 5G sites on 2100MHz in
Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
• 700MHz at 5 sites: This is an excellent
band for extensive coverage, making
it ideal for use for urban indoor
settings and for small towns and
rural coverage due to the low band
frequency propagation. Small towns now
covered by MTN 5G using the 700MHz
include Port Alfred, Hopetown, Virginia
Queenstown and Tsantsabane.
• 28GHz at 3 sites: This high frequency
bandwidth, offers great speeds, making
this ideal for Fixed Wireless Access 5G
connectivity. This solution has been
deployed in Hatfield (Pretoria), Edenvale
and Durban.
This new generation technology will unlock
the full capabilities of next generation
services such as virtual and augmented
“Cloud gaming means top line games
are available, all the time, in the cloud.
No console required, your device
becomes the controller and with 5G,
the speed and reliability of the signal
means you never need to download a
game, because your personal data is
always there waiting for you,” said Ernst
Fonternel, Chief Digital Officer, MTN SA.
“Cloud gaming will do to gaming what
video-on-demand has done to TV, it’s
a complete game-changer only this is a
game-changer that will be delivered by
5G,” Fonternel added.
Motsa pointed out that MTN’s rollout of
its 5G network will be ramped up to even
more sites once government allocates
permanent spectrum through the
planned auction later this year.
“We are extremely encouraged by the
release of the temporary spectrum. Our
call to the regulator and government
is to release permanent 4G and 5G
spectrum as a matter of urgency, so
that we can fuel the digital revolution
our nation needs to bridge the digital
divide that currently deepens the gap
between the ‘haves’ and the ‘havenots’,”
he added.
Motsa explained that the biggest
telecommunication opportunities
for the masses of South Africans,
are for operators to deliver ultra-fast
broadband to townships that continue
to be significantly underserved by fixed
line fibre services. “If the spectrum is
made available, the coverage is a given
and the affordability can be achieved.
Although we are starting relatively
small our growth plans for our 5G
ecosystem are huge,” he said. •
66 INTELLIGENTCIO
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