Yes, SA is ready for 5G
New technology will help to bridge the digital divide for all those who need it
SINCE the first mobile networks were launched in the early 1990s, South Africa has enjoyed an ever-improving user experience offered through the evolving generations of mobile networks.
The first generation (1G) of mobile networks was launched in the early 1980s and provided analogue voice communication services, which South Africa was not ready for. In the early 1990s, the second generation (2G) was launched as an evolution from 1G and offered short message service (SMS).
The third generation (3G) brought an evolution towards digital and data communication in the early 2000s. Some high-speed mobile broadband and internet of things capabilities were introduced through 4G a decade ago. Today we are talking about 5G with some excellent user experience for both household and business users.
As with its predecessors (3G and 4G), 5G requirements are defined by the UN’s International Telecommunications Union (ITU). For 5G, the ITU defined three use cases: enhanced mobile broadband communications (eMBB), massive machine type communication (mMTC) and ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC).
What makes 5G interesting is its ability to operate in new radio frequency bands, which were never used before in mobile networks. Two frequency ranges (FR) are defined for 5G: FR 1 covers 450 to 7 125MHz and FR 2 ranges from 24 to 95GHz (known as the millimetre wave or mmWave band). The use of higher frequency means that 5G will offer its users very wide bandwidth (high speed), high quality of service and capacity well beyond that of existing mobile networks.
Moreover, high frequencies also mean that more 5G towers or base stations will be erected for end-users to enjoy the high broadband speeds.
The base station towers in the previous mobile generations were taller in order to provide coverage to wider distances, thanks to the good propagation characteristics offered by the below 2GHz frequency bands. In contrast, 5G towers will be very small, and some may use existing street poles.
One of 5G’s benefits can be realised in the area of entertainment as a result of eMBB capability. For example, 5G promises download speeds of 20 gigabits per second (Gbps) compared with the theoretical 1 Gbps offered by its predecessor, or 4G. This means that you can download an hour of 4K ultra-high-definition movie (which is normally 42GB) in less than three seconds. An interesting fact about South Africa is its unequal socio-economic set-up, with the haves and the havenots. However, let us not forget the middle or working class, which can fall on either side depending on the income measurements being used. These are some of the people who may push the narrative that South Africa is not ready for 5G given the triple challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty.
If I were to reply to the sceptics, I would say South Africa is ready for 5G. Not only those in Sandton need 5G, but small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) or those who operate and live in a village outside Giyani also needs 5G in order to bridge the digital divide. However, a big question to be asked is the size of Average Revenue per User (ARPU) between Sandton and Giyani. Building 5G networks does not come cheap, and investors will always look for a high return on investment.
Indeed, South Africa is ready to deploy 5G, especially now that the ITU approved the 5G radio interface technology standards. Additionally, the national communications regulator is busy working on preparing the country for a true 5G deployment in the new radio frequency spectrum bands.
From a technical point of view, the 5G signals (especially in FR 1) are similar to those of existing mobile networks. The electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure within mobile communications continues to be strictly regulated at both international and national level. At international level, the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) publishes guidelines on limiting exposure to EMF for the protection of humans exposed to radio frequencies in the range 100kHz to 300GHz. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) CP95.12019 standard also defines safety limits for the protection of persons against the established adverse health effects of exposure to electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields in the frequency range 0Hz to 300GHz.
The defined EMF exposure limits are intended to apply generally to persons permitted in restricted environments and to the general public in unrestricted environments. Research by ICNIRP has shown that the effect of EMF exposure in the mmWave band is mainly superficial and a significant amount of the energy is reflected away by the skin. However, further studies are needed.
In this regard, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is setting up a 5G test-bed that will support the local industry and academia in conducting the research, development and innovation for new use cases as well as contribution towards the standardisation.
Maybe this is an opportune time for South Africa to develop a master plan towards a locally developed future xG (x here can be 7 or 8) network.