What is 5G?
Fifth-generation wireless (5G) is the most recent iteration of cellular technology, designed to significantly improve the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks. With 5G, data can be sent via wireless broadband connections at multigigabit speeds, with peak speeds perhaps reaching 20 gigabits per second (Gbps), according to some estimates.
MTN launches 5G
On August 24, MTN Nigeria made history by launching the 5G mobile network for the first time in Nigeria. MTN and Mafab Communications, who jointly won the 3.5GHz 5G spectrum auction last December, started the rollout by turning on the network at 190 locations nationwide.
MTN Nigeria is actively testing the infrastructure for the fifth-generation network in preparation for the launch of 5G services in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Owerri, and Maiduguri. Customers with specific enabled devices will be able to connect to the new service and test it out where coverage is available.
After receiving a $273.6 million license fee from both businesses in February, Nigeria’s National Communications Commission (NCC), which regulates the country’s telecom sector, designated August 24 as the starting date for the roll-out.
If you live in Nigeria, there are mainly two ways to connect to 5G: utilizing a 5G-compatible and 5G-equipped phone, or by using an MTN 5G router or an MTN 4G sim (both are 5G enabled).
How to access 5G
To access 5G networks when they are ready, 5G-compatible phones are constructed using the 5G network technology. Recent generations of the iPhone, Redmi, Xiaomi, Nokia, and Huwaei, among others, are 5G compatible.
Contrarily, 5G enablement is the backend integration of the phone models into the MTN 5G network, allowing these phones to access MTN’s 5G services at the approved locations around the country. Since MTN is currently striving to integrate Samsung and iPhone phones into its network, customers of these handsets are not yet able to access the 5G network via their sim cards directly.
Will 5G consume more data?
For the seamless experience it offers, 5G will inevitably need more data, but it won’t significantly alter the experience of current 4G subscribers. For instance, the highest resolution that can be attained when watching a YouTube video on a 4G network is 4k. The resolution won’t go over 4k with 5G, and data costs will remain constant. However, as 5G networks may transfer more data during the speed test process, performing a speed test using a 5G network would cost more data.
The stress that comes with 5G
But where can one find a 5G mobile device that is also reasonably priced? A better phone experience could result from 5G, which could enable high-quality gaming (perhaps with real-time, multiplayer mobile gaming), the downloading of high-resolution movies in seconds rather than minutes, and greater connectivity. At the MTN launch, 5G’s speed capabilities were amply on display. A 5G network was able to download a large file in two minutes as opposed to a 4G network’s eight hours.
The cost has typically been a barrier to the rollout of 5G-capable devices throughout Africa. For many Nigerians, the price of the lowest 5G equipment, which costs roughly $350 (N150,000), is out of reach. Although some device makers have pledged to lower prices to around $150, industry experts like Craig Wilson, vice president of the global telecommunications industry at IBM, said the high cost of 5G phones remains a significant barrier that will affect the launch of the network on a commercial scale because there aren’t enough mobile devices that can use it.
How to make 5G readily accessible
Despite a global shortage of microchips and supply chain challenges, the market can anticipate more manufacturers releasing more gadgets. According to a recent estimate from the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), the averfor age cost of a smartphone worldwide decreased from 22% of the typical monthly income in 2021 to 20% in 2022. The price of smartphones increased from 41.0 percent to 39.0 percent in sub-Saharan Africa.
Given the significance of smartphones in ensuring meaningful connectivity and digital participation for individuals all over the world, A4AI claims that this is a little decline. Nevertheless, only a small number of Nigerians will take advantage of the chance for around N150,000 for each 5G-enabled gadget.
What economic impact does the 5G has?
In a groundbreaking 5G Economy analysis, we discovered that by 2035, the entire economic impact of 5G will likely be felt globally, supporting a variety of businesses and potentially enabling up to $13.1 trillion in products and services.
Compared to prior network generations, this impact is significantly bigger. Beyond the usual mobile networking companies, industries like the automobile industry are also being included in the development requirements for the new 5G network.
The report also found that the 5G value chain, which includes customers, operators, content producers, and app developers, may support up to 22.8 million employees, or more than one job for each person living in Beijing, China. Additionally, there are a lot of emergent and novel applications that still need to be specified.
What then happens to 4G?
According to Chief Executive Officer, MTN Toriola, MTN is also boosting its investment in the 4G network.
“Our main source of income is 4G. We are speeding up 4G right now because we won’t stop focusing on it until it is available everywhere in the nation. Even as we assert our authority and leadership in 5G, we aim to remain at the top in 4G, he said.
What 5G offers in summary
- Accessing a super-fast browsing. MTN Broadband 5G Router offers faster speed and performance than 3G & 4G.
- Connecting multiple devices (up to 32) to the Router.
- Superior streaming, gaming, data download, and uploads. Online games and videos are faster, smoother, and more realistic.
- Wide Wi-Fi connection range.
- 100GB data bonus on activation.
A recent tweet from MTN Nigeria, dated 19th September 2022 reads
“The future is here, Experience the world of 5G and its super-fast speed. Now, what are you waiting for?”
