MTN stated on the 24th of August that it has began its pilot test of 5G network in Nigeria.
With this announcement, MTN cemented its position as the actual telecom leader in the country, and also generated a huge buzz among fans of technology.
A week after the official announcement, the telecommunications giant already has more than 190 operational 5G sites across the federation, and it is planning to make its 5G service available to the general public by the end of this year.
TechCabal is here to answer some of your many questions about MTN’s 5G offer in the country after meeting with MTN representatives at the company’s head office in Falomo, which is located in Lagos. What does the advent of 5G mean for the typical Nigerian? Is it a tether that helps to keep economic growth in place? Or, as a number of people have hypothesized, the first step toward the end of the world? Let’s dive.
Where in Nigeria do people have access to 5G Internet?
Any location that has been approved to offer 5G service is eligible to do so across the seven states where it has been launched. The capital cities of these states are Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, and Maiduguri respectively. In addition, work is being done on additional locations within these states.
Will 5G Network consume excess data?
It is inevitable that 5G will require more data in order to provide a seamless experience; however, the additional data requirements won’t be significantly different from what existing 4G subscribers experience. For instance, if you are watching a video on YouTube while connected to a 4G network, the highest resolution that can be obtained is 4k.
Even with 5G, the resolution will not improve beyond that of 4k, and the cost of the data will also remain the same. However, because 5G networks are able to transport more data throughout the speed test procedure, performing a speed test on a 5G network will result in a higher data cost.
How can individuals in Nigeria get access to 5G Network?
In Nigeria, you can connect to 5G using an MTN 5G router or an MTN 4G sim (5G fitted) on a 5G-compatible and 5G-enabled phone. Both are choices.
5G mobile signal Communication Mast (cell tower) Super fast data streaming concept. 3D illustration.
5G-compatible phones are built with the essential technologies to access 5G networks. Samsung, iPhone, Redmi, Xiaomi, Nokia, and Huwaei all have 5G phones.
5G enablement refers to phones’ backend integration into MTN’s 5G network. This integration allows these phones to access MTN’s 5G services nationwide.
MTN is currently integrating iPhone and Samsung phones into its network, thus owners of these devices do not have direct 5G sim card access. MTN is integrating these gadgets into its network.
The MTN 5G router gives open and unrestricted access to 5G service in Nigeria. Users can buy the device on MTN’s website and connect any WiFi-enabled device to a 5G site if they are nearby.
Pilot users of this 5G router had varying experiences. One user with a 5G-compatible phone reported 1,400 Mbps, while another reported 40 Mbps.
Phone specs affect 5G experience.
What other applications can 5G Network have besides those for mobile devices?
5G in Nigeria has uses beyond mobile communications. A MTN representative told TechCabal that the company is planning a 5G debut event. The VIP event will involve holographic remote performances and other out-of-the-ordinary presentations, he said.
Telecommunication tower with connection points
5G technology offers a tremendous leap ahead. It is not the end of the world or the coming of the Antichrist. Some organizations have already begun researching 6G networks. Imagine what our world will be like when behaviors like this are normal.
MTN’s 5G network can power economic activities in several industries, including as agriculture, as well as smart home devices, enable seamless gaming, contribute to advanced telesurgery, and stream content. A company official urged participants in such markets to use MTN’s innovative 5G network.
As MTN draws closer to realizing its aim of propelling Africa’s connectivity into the future, TechCabal will cover more stories. Stay tuned.
MTN is about to launch an official open pilot of the technology, and when it does, residents of seven cities in Nigeria, including Lagos and Abuja, will be among the first to test out 5G internet connectivity.
Nigeria’s telecoms regulator sold 3.5GHz spectrum licenses to MTN and Mafab Communications in December of last year, and the pilot project began shortly after. MTN announced its pilot on August 24, the date the regulatory body had originally planned for the program to begin in May.
Mafab was given a five-month delay before it could start its own operations in 2023.
MTN is the first business in Nigeria to offer 5G service, which might help the company strengthen its decades-long dominating position in the local telecoms industry. MTN presently controls a 38% share of the country’s 206 million GSM users, more than Airtel, Globacom, and 9Mobile.
When MTN finally launches its 5G service in its entirety, what percentage of the population will it cover?
Users require 5G routers and devices to connect. MTN is pre-selling these devices, and buyers can pick them up or have them delivered. Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, said the deployment will be gradual notwithstanding any enthusiasm.
During a discussion organized by Endeavor Nigeria today (August 25), he said most developed nations have 11 to 20% 5G coverage. Although our full launch will have a limited coverage area, we are and will remain the leaders in 5G capacity. We will make the most of this window of opportunity by advancing as rapidly as possible.
Creative background, male hand holding a phone with a 5G hologram on the background of the city.
13 African countries are currently deploying 5G. This technology might give Africa $2.2 trillion by 2034. (pdf). Commercial 5G service is only accessible in a few African cities, mostly in South Africa where MTN is responsible for the launch (MTN Group is based in South Africa). Econet Wireless debuted commercial 5G service in two Zimbabwean cities, while Safaricom offers limited coverage in Nairobi and two additional Kenyan towns.
Toriola expects MTN to capitalize on its Nigerian head start. “When it comes to 5G technology, we’ll be unequaled,” he said. “I can’t commit to population coverage now, but we’ll be aggressive.”
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