Bringing 5.5G into reality is a key theme that headlined the just ended 14th Mobile Broadband Forum (MBBF) in Dubai. As much as the buzz word was meant to be 5.5G, 5G as a forerunner of the world’s fastest fixed wireless access, was just as prominent throughout the summit and here is why;
Firstly, there was 5g before 5.5G became, secondly while 5.5g has already recorded exploits in some parts of the world, its concept largely remains unfamiliar to at least most of us of course for obvious reasons.
While the birth of 5.5G is a clear demonstration of how disruptive wireless technology has become in the last few years, it is still important to take special note of how 5G has remained indispensable in our daily lives, bringing multi-sectoral benefits. Looking back four (4) years since Huawei rolled out its first commercial 5G, its exponential growth and uptake has been unprecedented, even much more than what pundits expected. Going by heart-warming conversations emanating from the just ended MBBF, there is no doubt 5G has revolutionized every sphere of life in one way or another.
Huawei’s Rotating Chairman, Ken Hu cast some good light on the spiraling effects of 5G in his key note address. Mr. Hu revealed that 5G has added to its name over 260 networks connecting millions of people, while its usage continues to grow at a break-neck speed.
“In the past 4 years we have achieved lots of progress, we have more than 260 5G networks in the world covering nearly half of the world’s population. The adoption of 5G is much faster than 4G and now we have around 1.5 billion users in the world and consumers really like 5G because of its super-fast speed” Ken Hu said.
There is no time to tip-toe over the relevancy of 5G on the African continent more especially in a country like Zambia which has shown keen interest to roll it out. In Zambia, 5G may be in its infancy stages but there is a broader push by associations and authorities to swiftly move beyond 4G, 4.5G whose capacity may somewhat Limiting. In a recent interview, Dr. Chitundu Kasase, National Technology Business Centre (NTBC) CEO perfectly brought the point back home on how 5G could be spur innovations. The courteous and soft-spoken Executive explained that there is an urgent need for 5G deployment in Zambia, and everyone must be concerned with the limitations that comes with 4G.
“5G is needed like yesterday in Zambia; especially that the emerging technologies and 4IR innovations are more efficiently utilized when running on 5G. Tech Startups and their solutions & business, to be successful and sustainable, must be embedded on 5G. Zambia must be concerned with the limitations that come with 4G, to effectively grow the innovation ecosystem and indeed businesses, 5G is the go-to. So, Huawei must accelerate the deployment of 5G for this is the future” Dr. Kasase said.
Dr. Kasase view on 5G remains as relevant as any other well-thought-out view I know. With the last major acts of the 14th MBBF calling on Africa to accelerate 5G and maximize its potential, Telcom’s have shown appetite to roll it out across Africa. In November 2022, MTN Zambia launched 5G network, becoming the first mobile operator in Zambia to offer 5G services commercially after successfully undertaking trials of the transformative technology for almost a year. In July 2023, Airtel Zambia officially launched its 5G network, showcasing the impressive capabilities of their 5G services. Airtel became the second mobile service provider to launch 5G in Zambia.
According to the 5G impact report by STL, a leading research firm and Telcom consultants, the unique benefits of 5G could unlock $740bn of value in manufacturing in 2030.The report states that the manufacturing industry is going through a period of rapid digital transformation and is increasingly using data and technology to improve efficiencies within the plant, enhance productivity, and enable new business models supported by 5G.
Not only is 5G impacting manufacturing but also many other industries. In the neighboring Botswana for instance, In March 2023, technology firm Huawei announced a partnership with Botswana diamond producer Debswana, to implement 5G technology at Jwaneng mine, aimed at making the mine much more productive and efficient. With great potential Zambia has in mining and manufacturing, 5G may be what the country needs to turn its fortunes around.
(Mwebantu, Saturday, 21st October, 2023)
