5G services in Africa held back by speed bumps

As 5G mobile services make inroads in the industrialized word, Africa has been lagging behind, despite an appetite among consumers and businesses for faster connections.

A 2019 research paper, "5G in sub-Saharan Africa: Laying the foundations", finds there has been a growing shift in the market from basic voice services to data-centric offerings in Africa over the past decade.

This is evident in a doubling in sales of smartphones over the past three years; the devices now account for two of every five mobile connections in Africa, said the report, which was produced by GSMA Intelligence, a researcher that deals with mobile operator data analysis and forecasts.

Despite this clear demand and a ready market, Africa still trails in the rollout of 5G networks. So far, Lesotho and South Africa are the only African countries where 5G is commercially available. But even these services are extremely limited.

In November, telecommunications company MTN carried out the first testing of 5G superfast mobile internet in Nigeria. In East Africa, Kenya's biggest telecom operator Safaricom said last week that it will consider awarding a contract to China's Huawei as the country builds its 5G network this year.

Michael Joseph, chief executive of Safaricom, said that, despite the demand, 5G services can only be offered to customers in the major cities.

Adam Lane, the senior director of public affairs for Huawei in Southern Africa, said cost is the main barrier to the development of 5G networks in Africa. Additionally, most governments have not yet developed the regulations that would allow for a 5G rollout.

Lane said a lack of spectrum and a clear business case for 5G are other factors holding the technology back in Africa.

"The communication industry in Africa needs to build business cases which will require industry-specific solutions, consumer education and innovative partnerships. Currently, the 5G technology in Africa should not just target consumer devices directly, since most Africans keep devices for around 4 or more years," Lane said.

"In the African market there should be some clear business models in using 5G for fixed wireless access or using a Customer Premises Equipment and certain specific industry use cases such as in tourism, hospitality, mining and media broadcasts.

Lane said governments can play a role in helping to reduce these barriers by taking a leadership position and making commitments to provide support for 5G development.

Despite the challenges, Africa has the advantage of not being slowed down by the restrictions placed by the United States on Huawei, as the leading 5G developer.

"We will use Huawei in our 5G rollout. What will we do in terms of the American statements about not using Huawei? We don't have that situation in Africa," Joseph said.