MTN South Africa, in collaboration with Huawei, has successfully concluded Africa’s inaugural 5.5G network trial at its headquarters in Johannesburg. Renowned for its advancements in 5G technology, MTN is now spearheading the introduction of 5.5G in Africa. This next-generation technology promises to deliver faster and more intelligent connections, propelling the continent into a new digital era.
The 5.5G technology trial showcased several remarkable features, including 10-gigabit speeds, increased connectivity for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, reduced latency, energy-efficient networks, and advanced autonomous systems for simplified network management. In practical terms, this translates to internet speeds reaching up to 10 Gbps, a tenfold increase in IoT connectivity capacity, and significantly lower lag times, all while consuming less energy.
During the trial, MTN achieved download speeds of 8.6 Gbps, bringing futuristic applications such as 24K extended reality, holographic meetings, high-speed fixed wireless access, and enhanced private 5G networks closer to reality for both businesses and consumers.
This trial was a collaborative effort, with MTN utilizing Huawei’s cutting-edge antenna units, hybrid beamforming, and carrier aggregation technology to operate the 5.5G network over the C-band and millimeter-wave spectrum. MTN’s Chief Technology Officer, Rami Farah, emphasized that this accomplishment extends beyond technological advancement; it is about providing South Africans with a more connected future.
Huawei’s Li Chen echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the introduction of advanced 5.5G technology in South Africa can help bridge the digital divide and propel the digital economy forward. Together, MTN and Huawei aim to position South Africa as a leader in intelligent, high-speed connectivity.
