MTN Uganda, ZTE showcases 5G trial

MTN Uganda in partnership with Chinese firm, ZTE recently showcased a 5G standalone (SA) network under the 60 MHz spectrum bandwidth with an actual rate of more than 1.494 Gbps. The trial was graced by the Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, in a colorful ceremony. Rugunda said the government is supporting the development of new technology to accelerate economic development.

“It will solve people’s challenges and make life easier and more affordable,” he said. He expressed optimism that 5G will have a strong impact on Uganda’s economic development.

Godfrey Mutabazi, executive director of the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC), said that as a regulator of the communications sector, they are working to ensure that there is an appropriate infrastructure that supports 5G.

“If we accept this technology, this country will be the best in Africa,” Mutabazi said, noting that Uganda is the first country in East Africa to have 5G technology and the third in Africa after South Africa and Nigeria.

Wim Vanhelleputte, Chief Executive officer MTN Uganda, stated that 5G technology will have increased speeds and capacity. The performance is comparable to fiber optic cable experience, but then you have a wireless seamless experience. The advent of 5G will bring benefits for many segments other than just the telecoms. For instance, it will allow further advancements in telemedicine due to real-time connections.

Yi Yahua, the Vice-President of ZTE Corporation in Southern Africa, states that ZTE is fully supportive of MTN Uganda. The company will keep pushing modern mobile technologies to serve the country’s demands. The Chinese company wants to be one of the most important firms in the advent of 5G for Africa.

This can support a variety of applications, such as gigabit without fibre connectivity, cloud XR, ultra-HD live broadcast, automatic driving, and remote surgery. It is the first 5G SA network in East Africa.

Its deployment and operation adopt ZTE’s end-to-end 5G equipment, including Common Core, to achieve the complete separation of the signaling plane and the data plane without relying on the existing LTE core network evolved packet core (EPC). The network can support typical 5G applications, including uRLLC and mMTC, through the smooth upgrade.

The demonstration featured instant communication by an on-site fixed-wireless access network, bionic robot, cloud VR and other vertical industries. In addition, ZTE presented its end-to-end commercialized 5G services including the 5G Common Core, Beyond 100 G Transmission, 5G Flexhaul, 5G New Radio, and Big Video, as well as its 5G terminal devices, such as Axon 10 Pro 5G smartphones, 5G indoor and outdoor routers.