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Source : 5G in Africa 2023 Market Status , Trends and Outlook , GSMA Intelligence
5G Fixed Wireless Access provides an increase in speeds of over 10 × compared to 4G Fixed Wireless Access , along with substantial improvements in capacity , due to a range of technological advancements , which enables Fixed Wireless Access to target a broader market . With the deployment of 5G networks in Africa , operators have also begun rolling out 5G Fixed Wireless Access services to address the gap in lastmile connectivity .
With high levels of mobile penetration in Africa , most mobile operators are now seeking new growth opportunities . Targeting the connected home and business with Fixed Wireless Access services enables them to create new revenue streams by adding multiple new devices and users to their networks .
In a few cases , such as in urban locations in South Africa , where there is relatively developed fixed infrastructure , 5G Fixed Wireless Access is being positioned as a competing broadband service or complementary alternative to other existing Fixed Broadband services .
The low level of Fixed Broadband development in Africa means that operators in the region have the opportunity to deploy 5G Fixed Wireless Access as a primary broadband connectivity option for households without access to fixed alternatives . It also gives operators the chance to capture the enterprise opportunity , particularly in the MSME segment , which is responsible for more than 80 % of Africa ’ s employment and 50 % of the region ’ s GDP , according to the World Economic Forum .
5G use cases
The development of 5G enterprise use cases is also gaining momentum , with MTN recently announcing several initiatives in collaboration with Huawei across multiple verticals , including agriculture , healthcare , manufacturing and mining . Several operators and vendors in Africa have invested in programmes dedicated to co-creating consumer and enterprise 5G solutions for Africa .
These include Orange , which recently inaugurated its third Orange 5G Lab in Africa , and chipmaker Qualcomm , which launched the Make in Africa initiative in 2022 to support local startups in creating innovative solutions for the region .
While mobile broadband connections have played an important role in connecting people across the region , addressing the gap in last-mile Fixed Broadband connectivity is necessary to deliver enhanced connectivity services to households and enterprises . 5G Fixed Wireless Access is well placed to play this role , offering policymakers and operators the opportunity to overcome many of the limitations of other Fixed Broadband services , including cost , complexity and time to market . p
Rami Osman , Director for Business Development , MediaTek Africa and Middle East
Additional content excerpted from 5G in Africa 2023 Market status , trends and outlook , GSMA Intelligence
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