Spectrum auctions, mobile financing arrangements and the mass roll-out of 5G networks are all seen accelerating the shift to high-speed networks across key markets on the continent. South Africa, Seychelles, Botswana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria and Zimbabwe have rolled out commercial 5G services over the last two years.
“Many operators and governments are determining that the older 2G and 3G technologies as well as the spectrum allocated to them should be switched off for the faster and more efficient 4G and 5G networks,” said Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) president, Joe Barrett, in the association’s latest report.
South Africa announced that it would switch off its 2G network in mid-2024 and 3G by March of 2025. In September, a draft policy document from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) outlined the move as key to freeing up frequencies for 5G services.
Earlier in March, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa underscored the importance of radio spectrum auctions and the country’s switch to digital television to free up ‘valuable radio frequency spectrum to be used in the provision of mobile broadband services and other applications.
Nigeria is planning to hold a second 5G spectrum auction this December to allow telecom operators in the country to expand access to high-speed networks. The first auction conducted by the Nigerian Communications Commission was won by two telcos – MTN and Mafab Communications. So far, only MTN that has launched commercial 5G in the West African country.
The Nigerian telecom regulator listed the digitisation of government services, the shift to e-commerce, e-learning, video streaming services, e-health and the use of robotics in manufacturing as key areas requiring faster internet.
“There is a need for higher speed connections for data-intensive services required by modern communications devices to serve the Nigerian population,” it said.
Since 2015, Nigeria has seen its broadband penetration increase from less than 10 per cent to 44.49 per cent by July 2022, according to official data.https://www.independent.co.ug
