Last week on Friday, China’s ZTE, together with MTN Uganda, officially began trials of the Standalone 5G network in the country. This makes Uganda among the first countries in the continent to start preparing for the next-gen wireless network technology.
In East Africa, Uganda becomes the first country to kickstart 5G trials in preparation for the official commercial rollout. The event took place at the country’s capital Kampala with Uganda’s Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, being the chief guest.
He said the local government is all in for 5G, so long as it solves “people’s challenges and makes life easier and affordable.”
The country’s executive director of Uganda’s Communication regulatory body(UCC) assured that they would oversee 5G rollout and ensure that the country has the relevant infrastructure needed for 5G.
Uganda’s PM also expressed his optimistic view that launching 5G in the country will help influence economic development.
Even though the trials have been kicked off as early as now, you can say, the massive commercial 5G rollout will start in the next two to three years. This is according to the chief executive officer of MTN Uganda, Wim Vanhelleputte.
Kenya’s 5G Situation
Last week there were rumours of Kenya’s largest telco, Safaricom being spotted doing some 5G trials in Nairobi. Yesterday, a media publication – The Government Business Review – reported that the telco was expected to launch 5G this week. The publication said the CA was aware of the plans. Safaricom is said to have reframed its WiMax frequencies to rollout fixed-wireless 5G in Nairobi.
Image/Xinhua
