MTN Uganda, a subsidiary of the MTN Group, has unveiled its 5G network in the country. Interestingly, it achieved this ahead of telecom rival, Airtel. MTN currently dominates Uganda’s telecom market with 15 million subscribers.
5G, also known as the fifth generation of mobile networks, is gaining traction in many African countries because of its benefits. Unlike the 3G and 4G, 5G offers low latency, improved reliability, and faster download speed.
Aside from enabling its customers to enjoy better service delivery, MTN’s 5G launch is expected to bolster Uganda’s ICT scene. This could be the push the country needs to attract more foreign investments and broaden its tech ecosystem.
The telco rolled out the 5G network to Lugogo and Bugolobi areas. It also promised that more sites would be added soon. Both areas were selected as the pilot sites due to the heavy concentration of 5G-compatible devices.
Sylvia Mulinge, CEO of MTN Uganda commented on the launch. She said:
“We are incredibly proud to be the first to be live with a 5G network in Uganda, and we firmly believe that this cutting-edge network service will play a pivotal role in driving ICT solutions for economic growth and fostering unparalleled digital experiences for all Ugandans.”
Tagging it “a historic milestone”, Mulinge invited subscribers to expect an expanded network capacity that will revolutionize the Uganda digital landscape, transforming how they experience connectivity. Furthermore, she claimed that 5G users can enjoy an internet speed that is 100 times better than what the 4G network offers.
Building on this announcement, the telco intends to cover Kampala, the capital city, before 2024 ends. It also revealed plans to transform its base site across major cities to 5G-enabled ones.
Airtel to launch 5G in Uganda soon
Early this month, the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) awarded 5G spectrums to two telcos, MTN and Airtel. While MTN got the 700MHz, 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz and E-band (71GHz-76GHz/81GHz-86GHz) frequencies, Airtel secured 800MHz, 3.5GHz and E-band.
While MTN beat Airtel in the 5G network race in Uganda, the latter’s subscribers may not have to wait for long. The UCC recently approved the telco’s request to roll out a 5G network. Although there’s no set date, this is undoubtedly good for Ugandans and the ICT space in general.
Read also: Nigeria’s active internet connections hit 159.5 million, but what is 5G’s status in the country?
5G in Africa
No more will Africans think of 5G as an elusive innovation. Over the recent years, telcos across the continent have made significant strides to commence 5G delivery.
In Nigeria, MTN and Airtel have since launched 5G. Airtel recently joined Safaricom as the second telco to offer the high-speed network in Kenya. Botswana, Seychelles, South Africa, and Zimbabwe are some other countries with commercial 5G operations.
5G can potentially transform Africa’s ICT infrastructure, allowing subscribers to connect and do business faster, among other benefits. However, smartphone affordability is one factor that telcos and the government should take seriously. 5G-compatible phones and smartphones in general are typically expensive, making them elusive to the average African.
That’s why Kenya revealed plans for locally-assembled phones. It’s also why Malawian startup, Yellow is enabling people to own phones and other gadgets through a financing model. While these methods are good, more still needs to be done before Africa can fully unlock 5G’s many benefits.
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