04 June 2020

MTN is planning on launching its own 5G network at the end of the month.

The operator had initially planned to launch at the start of June, but encountered “delays in bringing some equipment into the country". MTN's news came via  the latest issue of its Y’Ello magazine, in which it is running a promotion for 5G connectivity using Huawei’s recently launched line of P40 smartphones. Along with the LG ThinQ, these are currently the only smartphones in the country capable of using 5G services.

However, MTN did not indicate how it is planning on offering 5G services. The big mobile operators have been struggling for years to get permission to use the parts of the radio spectrum best suited for 5G. The government is due to auction off blocks of the spectrum later this year.

Only two networks, Vodacom and Rain, have been able to offer 5G services, and both have achieved it by working around government regulations.