MTN Uganda on Friday launched the first 5G network, promising faster data speeds and lower latency or response time.
MTN, Uganda’s largest subscriber base at around 15 million, made its announcement after Bharti Airtel announced that it had also secured the 5G spectrum.
“Today marks a historic milestone in our journey as MTN Uganda as we are the first to be live with a 5G network in Uganda,” said Sylvia Mulinge, MTN Uganda’s chief executive officer.
She said the company planned to roll out full 5G coverage in the capital Kampala by the end of 2024 and that over the next two years all its base sites in major cities would also be converted to 5G.
“In the digital age, online learning and self-education have become crucial, offering unparalleled convenience without the need for travel or high fees. All thanks to data. Embracing new possibilities and empowering minds everywhere,” she noted.
According to Mulinge, MTN has in the recent few weeks increased the capacity of its speed to a possibility of X60, X80 even X100.
“Think of a world where the internet speed you are currently experiencing, being 100 times faster! MTN 5G is 100 times faster than 4G, with everything in the right condition. With 5G, you can now experience faster speed without buffering at all.”
She said connectivity is critical for business owners to keep in touch with business partners, governments with citizens and consumers connected with their passions online.
According to South African telecom, this cutting-edge technology will provide lightning-fast, ultra-reliable connections, revolutionising the way businesses operate.
“Innovation and technology go hand in hand! When investing in countries, technology plays a crucial role. We are excited to explore innovation centers and hubs, fostering partnerships to drive progress together,” noted Mulinge.
Special bundles
Somdev Sen, the MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer, said 5G is not just about getting super fast connections on phones but also about connecting homes, offices and the like.
“Introducing our dedicated 5G bundles for those seeking lightning-fast speeds. But don’t worry, we’ve got options for everyone – choose from a range of speeds to suit your needs. Best of all, these bundles are incredibly affordable. We shall also have specialized products and bundles, perfect for home and office connectivity needs,” he explained.
He added: “For the industrial sector, our 5G solutions will enable seamless pipeline monitoring across kilometers, eliminating the need for multiple offices at various sites providing affordable connectivity, fostering partnerships, and enriching interactions with valuable information.”
Mulinge had stated that this wasn’t just history in the making but also stepping into a future where wildest dreams become reality.
“Imagine watching concerts from the cozy comfort of your home. The possibilities are truly going to be endless,” she noted.
No need for new sim card
Yasin Ramadhan, Senior Manager Network Planning & Engineering, said there will be no need to swap “your SIM card”.
“Our 5G network will seamlessly work with your current 4G SIM card.”
“In MTN, we believe everybody deserves the benefits of a modern connected world and with 5G, we are going to be able to solve some of the issues we have been facing with MTN Wakanet with difficulty reaching some areas but this will now be possible with fixed wireless access,” he added.
