Vodacom launches Tanzania’s first 5G technology
Vodacom Tanzania Plc has launched Tanzania’s first 5G technology in what promises to be a transformational development in the country’s digital journey.
The company’s Acting Managing Director, Hilda Bujiku launched the 5G technology service in the presence of the Minister of Information, Communications and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye, in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, The Citizen reported.
According to Bujiku, the 5G service rollout will start with the establishment of over 200 5G sites in Tanzania’s regions such as Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Dodoma, Mwanza, Iringa, Kagera, Njombe, and also Zanzibar, among other areas by November 2022.
“We promise to continue using technology to improve the lives of Tanzanians and lead the digital transformation. As we launch 5G, we plan to reach 90 per cent of Tanzanians with 3G and 45 by 2024,” she added.
While addressing the audience, Mr Andrew Lupembe, Director of Network at Vodacom Tanzania, provided context on why the network operator launched the 5G technology instead of enhancing 4G in the country.
According to him, the launch of 5G means businesses should look forward to the great transformation such as the internet of things, artificial intelligence, and remote access to Healthcare, among other great rewards in sectors such as education, transportation, and tourism.
He noted that; “4G is good, but due to community demands, there was a need for higher technology with low latency, hence 5G. It will address a lot of challenges in Tanzania.”
Recently, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, a subsidiary of MTN Group Limited, also launched 5G network service in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria.
In December 2021, the network operator won a 5G bid in Nigeria, beating out major competitor Airtel Africa Plc and emerging as one of two telcos licensed to operate the next-generation network in Africa’s most populous country.
As it stands, only a handful of African countries have so far launched the network, and even then, most of these launches are not commercial in scope. According to Quartz Africa, these countries include Ethiopia, Botswana, Egypt, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
But many of these countries are facing delays due to spectrum regulation clarity, commercial viability, deployment deadlines, low citizen purchasing power of 5G enabled smartphones and expensive internet.
