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With the advent of 5G technology in recent years, the telecoms sector has experienced a spectacular revolution that has redefined connectivity standards and altered our interactions and communication with the digital world.

Leading participant in the nation’s telecom market, MTN Uganda, created history in July of this year by being the first telecom operator to roll out 5G connectivity.

Starting in Kampala, MTN Uganda launched around 35 sites in the final quarter of 2023.

MTN Uganda has expanded the rollout and optimization of 4G+, an even more efficient form of 4G technology, throughout the nation in order to enhance the advantages of 5G. When combined, these technologies offer tremendous gains in latency, speed, capacity, and connectivity. In addition to providing speedier internet, they have the power to transform and increase productivity across a range of sectors, including industry, transportation, healthcare, and education.

“As part of our latest Unstoppable Network campaign, we want to put a spot light on the extent of investment that we’re committing to ensure that through our services, we support individual and government efforts to drive progress in our communities and country,” says MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge, underscoring the significance of the 5G rollout. 

We made sure to balance our investment in our spectrum application, which the regulator kindly granted, by combining the appropriate 4G+ and 5G technologies to ensure that our coverage spread satisfies the needs of corporate, institutional, and individual customers.

Mulinge added that MTN will support its customers in updating their devices to make the best use of 5G as the nation develops and will roll out the technology to make sure it meets customers’ needs wherever they are or go in Uganda.

“We anticipate better connectivity from our most recent coverage rollout, which will enhance services and facilitate the capture of hitherto unrealized economic prospects. The introduction of 5G is consistent with MTN’s overarching strategic goal of leading the charge in creating digital solutions that will propel Africa’s—in this case, Uganda’s—progress, according to Mulinge.

The central business district of Kampala and its surrounding areas, as well as Mulago, Nansana, Kawempe, Kawanda, Kisaasi, Kungu, Kanyanya, Komamboga, Nakawa, Bugolobi, Mutungo, Muyenga, Munyonyo, Kiwafu, Konge-Buziga, Bunga Hill, Mudde-Bunga, Kiruddu-Buziga, Kitende, Dundu, Bweya, Bulega, Bwerenga, Lyamutunde, Wankulukuku, and Bunamwaya are among the important urban and commercial hubs that MTN Uganda has strategically focused its 5G rollout.

5G has also been activated at Fort Portal and Kasese, outside of Kampala, to assist commercial use cases in those areas. Up to 2024, more regions will be added to the rollout.

Faster and more reliable communication is already being experienced in 5G-connected locations, providing consumers and businesses with unmatched connectivity. Significantly quicker data transmission rates, lower latency, and more network capacity are all provided by 5G technology. Today, businesses and consumers in these locations may take advantage of smooth high-definition video streaming, pristine phone communications, and incredibly responsive online gaming experiences. These features all work together to guarantee productivity in any project that uses the technology.

Our nation’s development will need to move forward with dependable and consistent connectivity. With its mission as a telecommunications and digital solutions provider, MTN is investing in the technology the nation needs to drive its success both now and in the future. Digital connection fuels all industries, including manufacturing, commerce, education, and healthcare.

The Chief Technical and Information Officer (CTIO) of MTN Uganda, Ali Monzer, stated that attempts to reach the remaining portion of the nation are a continuous process.

The latest introduction of 4G+ and 5G technologies is a part of our ongoing efforts to consistently improve our network to meet global benchmarks and meet connection requirements for speed, dependability, and service availability. In order to close the digital divide and give Ugandans access to the many advantages of living in a contemporary, connected society, we have recently deployed 4G+ and 5G technologies in both urban and rural areas, according to Monzer.

Monzer further emphasizes how MTN’s 5G network services have revolutionized the commercial landscape in Uganda, pointing out that these services increase industry productivity and efficiency. He makes the point that MTN Uganda’s expanding fiber and 4G network will be enhanced by 5G network services, resulting in a comprehensive telecommunications ecosystem.

He goes on to say that in ideal conditions, 5G promises speeds up to 100 times quicker than previous technologies and substantially lowers latency (data transmission to 5 milliseconds). The user experience is being revolutionized by this incredible technological breakthrough in a variety of digital applications. It not only opens the door for services like virtual and augmented reality, but it also makes it easier to stream extremely high definition video, makes it possible to implement state-of-the-art artificial intelligence, encourages robotics development, and speeds up the creation of automated cars and the Internet of Things (IoT), among other use cases.

According to Monzer, 5G is essentially the spark that ignites a new era of invention and connectivity, where the bounds of what is feasible are always being pushed.

MTN Uganda is dedicated to investing in infrastructure as part of its Ambition 2025 plan in order to stay at the forefront of connectivity and offer quicker, more dependable connections to its ever-expanding customer base, which currently numbers more than 19 million.

The future is bright since MTN is committed to introducing globally benchmarked connectivity and technology innovations to Uganda, as well as to updating and staying up to date with these developments.