Vodacom Group has launched one of Africa’s first commercial 5G service in Lesotho using 3.5GHz spectrum.
The 5G technology will give Vodacom subscribers in Lesotho a quick deployment of broadband services with fibre-like speeds.
Also, with access to the technology, entrepreneurs, industry shapers and government will soon be able to work with Vodacom to develop and incubate innovative applications.
This, Vodacom says will help power digital transformation in Lesotho.
Vodacom Group also announced that, in another first, it has deployed the same standards-based 5G technology in South Africa, with speeds in excess of 700 Mbps and latencies of less than 10 milliseconds.
This will exceed 1Gbps as new software versions and devices become available.
However, until such time as 3.5GHz spectrum becomes available to Vodacom South Africa, the network will not be available to its customers.
According to Shameel Joosub, Vodacom Group Chief Executive Officer: “Vodacom prides itself on being a market leader and we are extremely pleased to be first to deliver 5G services to customers in Africa.
“What we’ve accomplished in Lesotho is an example of what can be achieved in Africa, should the requisite spectrum also be made available.”
According to him, Vodacom will be able to make 5G services available to its customers in South Africa once requisite spectrum is assigned.
“Global technological advancements are evolving at a rapid pace and South Africa can’t afford to be left behind, particularly when we look at some of the potential use cases for 5G to support critical sectors of our society such as healthcare and education,” he said.
By:StephanieHorsu/techvoiceafrica.com