t cht lk will grow from around 1 % of total connections in Africa today to 22 % by 2030 .
t cht lk will grow from around 1 % of total connections in Africa today to 22 % by 2030 .
With speeds around 10-fold faster than 4G as well as lower latencies , 5G can enable consumers that do not have access to fibre to enjoy true
broadband speeds and performance for the first time . This will enable them to have a better experience on applications such as 4K video for videoconferencing and streaming , multiplayer gaming and cloud-based productivity applications .
Looking to the near-future , 5G will allow consumers to also use next-generation applications such as 8K video , augmented and virtual reality , cloud gaming , advanced internet of things and artificial intelligence applications in the smart home , school , workplace , and car . This will help to integrate Africa into the digital world economy on a more even footing .
Fibre to the home penetration in Africa is estimated to be only around 5 % and older Fixed Wireless Access solutions such as LTE and WiMax have struggled to gain traction on the continent .
Spectrum allocation is currently the major barrier to wider deployment of 5G in many parts of the continent . But governments and regulators recognise
With speeds around 10-fold faster than 4G as well as lower latencies , 5G can enable consumers that do not have access to fibre to enjoy true broadband speeds and performance for the first time .
that unblocking access to spectrum will unleash considerable economic and social benefits .
5G Fixed Wireless Access
5G Fixed Wireless Access , is emerging as the technology of choice for closing the remaining digital divide in Africa and bringing the educational , entertainment , business and lifestyle benefits of fast broadband to a much wider population in Africa . This will lead to a 5G boom for the African telecoms sector over the next five years , as operators race to reach more people with 5G connectivity .
From a consumer perspective , dedicated 5G Fixed Wireless Access is a far superior option to using a mobile hotspot . While many African subscribers are using a mobile hotspot from their phone for Internet access , the user experience is not as good as a dedicated connection . It is annoying to lose your connection when you get a voice call , plus battery life tends to run out faster when you are using a hotspot .
The benefits of 5G Fixed Wireless Access for Africa are clear . Operators can deploy high-speed broadband using already installed cellular infrastructure and avoiding the costs of laying down cables and users can get superfast internet services from a compact device that they can self-install . This will help to close the digital divide by addressing the significant gaps that still exist in the last mile in many parts of Africa .
68 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com