FEATURE : 5G
Fifth-generation wireless ( 5G ) is the latest iteration of cellular technology , engineered to greatly increase the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks . Manish Vyas , President ,
Communications , Media and Entertainment Business , and CEO , Network Services , Tech Mahindra , looks at the business case for 5G investments in Africa and how it is enabling a sharp increase in the amount of data transmitted over wireless systems due to more available bandwidth and advanced antenna technology .
With 5G , data transmitted over wireless broadband connections can travel at multi-gigabit speeds , with potential peak speeds as high as 20 gigabits per second ( Gbps ) by some estimates . These speeds exceed wireline network speeds and offer latency of 1 millisecond or lower , which is useful for applications that require real-time feedback .
According to research firm International Data Corporation ( IDC ), the mobile connectivity market in Sub-Saharan Africa has grown significantly since the adoption of 2G telephony and the uptake of 4G mobile broadband technology . Accordingly , stated IDC , the penetration of mobile voice and data services across the region has dramatically increased over the years . Going forward , 5G mobile broadband will be the next frontier for market growth , particularly as mobile services providers will devise new strategies to attract and retain subscribers .
IDC stated that already , there are several commercial 5G deployments and pilot programmes underway across Sub-Saharan Africa , and additional 5G investments are expected to gain traction across the region in the short to medium term .
Telcos from South Africa are spearheading commercial 5G deployments across the southern Africa region . For example , Vodacom and MTN have launched 5G services across several cities . Rain , a fixed wireless access provider , has also launched commercial 5G services in South Africa .
In East Africa , IDC noted that there have been no commercial 5G deployments however , there have been a few pilot projects in the region . Safaricom recently launched 5G trials across Nairobi , Kisumu , and Kakamega counties in Kenya , while MTN is running a pilot programme in Kampala , Uganda . In Central Africa , Gabon Telecoms started 5G trials in Gabon in 2019 .
Manish Vyas , President , Communications , Media and Entertainment Business , and CEO , Network Services , Tech Mahindra , said the rollout of 5G technology across African countries is still in its nascent stage , but 5G will essentially drive unprecedented inclusive growth in Africa . Vyas said there are currently 24 operators across 18 African countries who are evaluating , testing , trialling , and deploying 5G .
“ Eight operators have already deployed 5G into pre-commercial or commercial networks . Vodacom , MTN and Rain have deployed pre-commercial or commercial networks in South Africa . Telma Madagascar switched on its 5G commercial network to offer subscribers high-speed services enabled by the new generation of mobile connectivity . “ MTN
The business case for 5G in Africa
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