MTN Chairman: Smartphone Costs and Vandalism Hindering 5G Adoption in Africa
The rollout of 5G technology across Africa faces significant hurdles, as highlighted by MTN Group Chairman, Mcebisi Jonas. Speaking to fellows of the Media Innovation Programme in Johannesburg, Jonas identified two primary obstacles slowing the continent’s progress toward widespread 5G adoption: the prohibitive cost of 5G-enabled smartphones and the ongoing issue of infrastructure vandalism. These challenges are particularly pressing as 5G, which started its journey in South Africa in 2020, slowly spreads across the continent.
Key Challenges to 5G Expansion
At the heart of the problem is the availability of affordable 5G devices. Currently, many 5G smartphones are priced beyond the reach of a significant portion of the African population. This affordability gap creates a barrier to entry, limiting the number of users who can actually access and benefit from the faster speeds and improved connectivity of 5G networks. Furthermore, the issue of vandalism against telecommunications infrastructure significantly disrupts services, increases operational costs, and discourages further investment in network expansion. These acts of destruction, whether motivated by theft or malicious intent, damage crucial network components, leading to service outages and delayed network upgrades, ultimately hindering 5G penetration across the continent.
While the GSMA projects robust growth for 5G in Africa, estimating over 340 million connections representing one-fifth of all mobile links, and anticipating a substantial $26 billion contribution to the continent’s economy by the end of the decade, the challenges highlighted by Jonas pose a significant threat to realizing this potential. The success of 5G in Africa relies heavily on addressing these core issues to facilitate broader accessibility and ensure the protection of vital infrastructure.
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