Telecoms operators migrate from 2G as global 5G connections hit 1b
• Nigeria to auction two new licenses in 19 days in Abuja
ALTHOUGH the FifthGeneration ( 5G) network is new, subscriptions are expected to reach one billion globally by the end of 2022 and gross the five billion mark by 2028.
Ericsson, which disclosed this, noted however, that for Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and other sub- Saharan African ( SSA) countries, 4G will continue to be the main contributor to new connections up to 2028, accounting for more than half of all mobile subscriptions at that time.
Ericsson, a Swedish telecoms firm, in its November Mobility Report, released yesterday, observed that while SSA’S economy is projected to be one of the fastest- growing regions globally, sustaining growth in the telecoms industry, legacy networks still dominate.
According to the report, 2G connections still account for about half of the total subscriptions, but these are projected to decline as service providers migrate subscribers to 4G and 5G.
This news is coming as Nigeria prepares to auction two fresh lots of 100MHZ in the 3.5GHZ spectrum band for 5G for two more operators. Precisely, the Nigerian C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Commission ( NCC) said Lots A ( 3400- 3500MHZ) and Lot C ( 3600- 3700MHZ) are opened for the fresh bidders. The auction, which will be held on December 19, will take place in Abuja.
Already, the December 2021 earlier auction produced MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications as winners. While MTN has rolled out 5G services in some localities in Lagos and targets Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Owerri and Maiduguri in the next phase, all eyes are on Mafab not to abuse its five months extension, which ends in January for its muchawaited 5G launch. Mafab was granted a five- month extension in August by the NCC.
MEANWHILE, Ericsson said despite economic challenges, the SSA’S economy is projected to be one of the fastest growing regions globally, sustaining growth in the telecom industry.
Accordingly, it said with the COVID- 19 pandemic becoming a lesser concern, network investments are shifting focus from reliable connectivity for social and economic sustenance, to increasing coverage and capacity, especially for mobile broadband connections.
In the region, Ericsson claimed that 2G connections are still accounting for about half of the total subscriptions but these are projected to decline as service providers migrate subscribers from legacy to 4G and 5G networks. 4G will be the main contributor to new connections up to 2028, accounting for more than half of all mobile subscriptions at that time.