After 2G, 3G and 4G networks, the world has transitioned to the 5G era. This technology can be defined as the 5th Generation of cellular networks adopted for the first time in April 2019 by South Korea on a large scale. Its progression to the other continents has been impressive since that time. Benefits of 5G include data speeds that are up to 100 times faster than those of 4G, a low latency rate, and the ability to accommodate up to 1 million connected devices per square kilometre, compared to 4G’s maximum of 100,000 square kilometres. It makes sense that some countries are prioritizing its implementation.
In terms of innovation and lifestyle, this Fifth Generation of wireless communication technology is extremely significant for humanity. Our smartphone activities are becoming more advanced and faster. Likewise, the term “SMART” is associated with this new technological revolution. Nowadays, we’re talking about smart TVs, smart homes, smart cars, and, on a larger scale, smart cities. All of this is made possible by the high-speed connection provided by 5G. What’s more exciting is the products and services that will emerge in the future thanks to this amazing innovation.
5G in Africa
As previously stated, 5G has rapidly extended over all regions and continents, including Africa. In that regard, the technology was initially introduced in South Africa in August 2018, followed by Nigeria in January 2022. This is a significant step forward for Africa as the world is becoming more mobile and Africans are also starting to consume more data on a yearly basis. Added to it is the growing interest in Tech products and services influenced by Western countries, which are already ahead of 5G network activities.
The continent’s young population is another reason driving strong demand for video, gaming, and music streaming, all of which necessitate a high-performance connection. 5G is the most powerful technology for managing several devices simultaneously, from cameras to smart lighting, and mobile phones to equipment sensors.
However, there seem to be some challenges in the extension of 5G in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The 5G challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa
Despite the efforts of many African countries to implement 5G technology, Africa is not yet ready for it. Market variables such as urbanization, population, and a lack of funds indicate a lack of readiness for 5G rollouts in Sub-Saharan Africa. Due to the high cost of 5G deployment, some regions are taking a long time to deploy and adopt the technology. The expense of infrastructure, such as backhaul technologies and mobile base stations, is a barrier to the adoption of 5G in urban and rural areas.
Furthermore, the exorbitant price of 5G-enabled devices discourages certain African operators from offering mobile 5G services.
In Kenya, for example, 94% of the population owns devices costing less than $200, while 5G enabled devices can be more expensive than that. This reality is the same throughout the continent. Expensive smart devices are mostly affordable to a category of privileged people because of their sophisticated needs and lifestyle, whilst the rest will be content with a basic device that provides mobile connectivity to access standards services (social networking, SMS etc.).
The fact that the continent wants to keep up with the technological changes that are happening elsewhere is understandable. However, It is important to note that even 4G has not yet been rolled out to all regions. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 3G will continue to dominate coverage following 2G from 2021 to 2025, according to a GSMA report (2022). This demonstrates that governments and operators still have a long way to go in extending 4G coverage to all areas. The focus cannot be 5G.
4G is to be matured first in Sub-Saharan Africa
There is a positive side attached to Africa wanting to get 5G. It has led to countries realizing that the continent lags in terms of mobile connection. And it has helped in improving the adoption of 4G because, without the transition to 4G, there will be no 5G. Though 78% of Africans can access 4G today, only 25% of mobile connections in Africa are 4G. The latter is only offered in areas with heavy internet usage, such as metropolitan or peri-urban areas. This is because Providers are investing more heavily in this regard since most users reside in cities. There seems to be no urgent need to invest more in infrastructure in rural places where internet consumption is minimal.
As a result, these areas have an intensive 3G or even 2G coverage, implying that the devices used there, only support 3G and 2G networks. Thus, because of this impediment to 4G deployment, Telcos and concerned operators, should not yet consider 5G. This also indicates that USSD technology is not obsolete in these markets. In Africa, USSD continues to be a simple yet functional and powerful technology. Its value in this market, lies in the fact that it is the perfect way to connect and reach customers regardless of what phone they have, if they have data or not, or what network they are on.
Nevertheless, according to a GSMA research (2022), 3G usage has begun to fall for the first time, and by 2025, 4G will account for a third of mobile connections in the region, up from less than a fifth in 2021. It is a sign of progress. It demonstrates that Africa is gradually transitioning to 4G.
Therefore, 4G infrastructures are required. For the global expansion of the 4G network, operators and governments must first invest in high-quality poles, antennas, and other infrastructures. Following that, the emphasis should be placed on the provision of affordable 4G smartphone devices to allow the migration of all users from 2G, 3G, to 4G networks. In fact, they are still out of reach for most people on the continent.
In addition, provoking the demand for 4G services will boost the need for high-speed connections. The truth is that some consumers simply want a network that allows them to communicate with others via text, MMS, or GPRS, and 2G perfectly provides these services.
There is so much work to be done in Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of 4G deployment that running over 5G is not a necessity at present.
Conclusion
The fact that Sub-Saharan Africa still needs to finish switching from 2G to 4G indicates that 5G is not a top priority for the region. There is still so much to do regarding infrastructure, migrating people between networks, adjusting device costs and more. We still need to consider the people using 2G, 3G and 4G networks with traditional mobile phones not adapted to 5G, including GSM mobile phones or feature phones. It can also be said that older technologies like USSD still have massive significance within the African Telecommunications market.
Operators must consider that massive parts of the African population still use 2G, 3G and 4G networks on Traditional mobile devices, including GSM mobile phones or Feature phones, which have not been adapted for 5G. This indicates that older technologies, such as USSD, still have relevance and significance within the African Telecommunications market.
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Experienced Book Author with a demonstrated history of working in the online media industry. Katucia Moussongo is a Public Relations Professional specialising in content creation in both English and French.
