The progression from 5G to 5G-Advanced represents a critical step in telecommunications.  This advancement aligns with the continent's need for smart, scalable solutions that drive economic resilience and inclusivity.

MTN South Africa, in collaboration with integrated ICT solutions provider ZTE Corporation, has launched a 5G-Advanced (5G-A) public experience. The event, announced on November 29, took place at the MTN Store in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. It highlighted the future of high-speed connectivity with a record-breaking download speed of 9.2 Gbps, showcasing MTN's commitment to cutting-edge telecom advancements.

Rami Farah, CTO of MTN South Africa, emphasized that the project is a step toward transforming digital lifestyles for South Africans, while ZTE South Africa CEO Luca Shen noted the potential for 5G-A to create new business models and drive economic growth.

The event demonstrated ZTE’s millimeter-wave Active Antenna Unit (AAU) technology, which achieved ultra-low latency of 6 milliseconds on a 5G Standalone (SA) network. Utilizing 3GPP Release 18 features and innovative network slicing, the platform optimized resource efficiency and performance. The setup also highlighted ZTE’s advancements in space division multiplexing for enhanced scalability.

Participants explored next-generation applications powered by 5G-A technology. AI-Generated Content (AIGC) used 5G-A’s real-time cloud rendering and ultra-fast connectivity to enable AI to create dynamic content in art, education, and entertainment. The Robotic Dog, equipped with sensors and cameras, demonstrated capabilities in industrial tasks like mapping and data sharing, supported by 5G-A’s low latency and cloud collaboration. ZTE’s Nubia Pad 3D II, a glasses-free 3D tablet, showcased immersive experiences for gaming, entertainment, and professional use, highlighting advanced 3D technology's potential.

ZTE and MTN aim to expand their collaboration to deploy 5G-A networks across South Africa, accelerating digital transformation and contributing to the country's technological and economic development.

The collaboration highlights MTN's commitment to driving digital transformation and advancing technological innovation for the benefit of businesses and consumers. It builds on its recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China Telecom and Huawei, aimed at enhancing capabilities in 5G, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and business solutions. These initiatives align with MTN's broader strategy to lead in digital connectivity and foster economic growth across its markets.

The launch of ZTE and MTN South Africa's 5G-A public experience is significant as it highlights a transformative leap in telecom technology, paving the way for ultra-fast connectivity and innovative applications that could drive economic growth and digital transformation in South Africa and beyond.

Hikmatu Bilali