MTN optimistic 5G penetration will grow; banking on Nigeria, other markets
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Telecom market leader MTN anticipates a 10 per cent growth in 5G penetration this year, banking on 2,500 5G sites across its 19 markets on two continents, according to its Integrated Report for the year ended 31 December 2022.
MTN has activated 588 5G sites in major cities across Nigeria, home to its largest African footprint.
The network pioneered 5G rollout in Nigeria in August 2022, starting with Lagos, where it deployed the service in about 81 centres; and plans expansion to six other cities – Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Owerri, and Maiduguri.
Mafab Communications, the second 5G licencee, announced in January, its readiness to roll out but its subscribers are yet to get the service.
Airtel, the sole 5G bidder in the second phase of the auction in December 2022, is yet to disclose its launch plans since obtaining the licence from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
_________________________________________________________________
Related articles:
MTN revels in N568b revenue, with data beating voice in cash race
Voice and data fetch N2.68tr for MTN, Airtel
MTN awards scholarships to 5,000 students, to train others in digital skills
__________________________________________________________________
Increasing 3G and 4G penetration
MTN Group Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita explained in the Integrated Report that the network rolled out 3,498 3G and 7, 993 4G sites, culminating in “our 3G and 4G coverage increasing by nine million and 45 million people, respectively,” per reporting by The Guardian.
“In 2022, we rolled out 1, 570 5G sites, mainly in South Africa and Nigeria, bringing our total number of 5G sites to 2 527.”
In South Africa, the report said, MTN is rolling out 5G after winning the spectrum in the auction held by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. An additional spectrum is to be released in the short term.
MTN said after winning 100MHz spectrum for 5G in the auction, it became the first operator to launch 5G in Nigeria in 2022.
“We are targeting 10 per cent 5G population coverage by end-2023. The other spectrum winner is yet to launch its network.”
A report by the Global System for Mobile Telecommunications Association (GSMA) noted shipment of 5G devices to Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries increased 26.9 per cent in 2022.
“The availability of 5G devices – and at affordable prices – will be crucial to 5G adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa,” GSA stressed.
“This is especially true given that the sluggish uptake of 4G across the region is, in large part, attributable to the high cost of devices relative to average income levels.
“That said, smartphone shipment data for the region suggests growing demand for 5G-enabled devices.
“For example, in the second quarter of 2022, the shipment of 5G-enabled devices increased by 26.9 per cent, significantly outpacing the overall growth of smartphone shipments to the region.
“Growth is being driven by a number of factors, including a young and tech-savvy population with a taste for the latest technology and increasing competition among handset-makers to bring the most advanced but affordable models to market.”