GSMA Rules Out Adoption of 5G Technology Soonest in Nigeria

The GSM Assiociation (GSMA) said mobile subscribers in Nigeria are not to expect the adoption of the 5G technology by mobile operators in the country soonest.

According to the latest “Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2020” research report released yesterday by the GSM Association (GSMA), mass adoption of mobile 5G technology is not imminent in Nigeria.

“5G trials have been conducted elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa, including in Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda.

However, mass adoption of mobile 5G is not imminent in the region”, the report said.

The report explained that with significant unused 4G capacity and 4G adoption still relatively low, the focus in the near term for operators and other stakeholders is to increase 4G uptake.

GSMA stated further that this will involve strategies to make 4G devices more affordable and the provision of relevant digital content to drive demand for enhanced connectivity services.

It however said that by 2025, there will be just under 30 million mobile 5G connections in Sub-Saharan Africa, equivalent to almost 3% of total mobile connections.

Already, Vodacom and MTN have launched the first major 5G networks in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2020, offering 5G mobile and fixed wireless access (FWA) services in several locations across South Africa, the report observed.

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with almost 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors.

The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences.