MTN Uganda launched its 5G network in the East African country with plans to upgrade base stations to the next-generation technology in all major Ugandan cities over the next two years.
In a press conference, last week (July 28), MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge (pictured, below) revealed the operator launched commercial 5G in the capital city of Kampala on Friday. Major cities across Uganda will see base stations upgraded to support 5G spectrum in the coming months – with all being upgraded to 5G by 2024.
MTN claimed that subscribers will be able to see speeds up to 1.2Gbps under the right conditions and devices.
Compatible devices from Apple (iPhone 12 and later) and Tecno among others, should begin showing the 5G icon on displays. Samsung devices will see their 5G activated by the end of August said Mulinge.
“We have been mandated with the receiving of this licence to make sure that we're able to provide internet speeds of at least 50Mbps and 100% indoor coverage in Kampala city by the end of 2024”, said Mulinge.
“This achievement will undoubtedly fuel growth in the ICT sector, strengthening our commitment to progress. The work on this, I'd like to assure our regulator the Ministry of ICT, has already begun. We are planning to ensure that we have all the sites upgraded in all the cities in Uganda with 5G over the next two years even as we work on enhancing the quality of connectivity”.
Rival operator Airtel Uganda were reportedly confirmed to begin work on upgrading 50 sites to 5G across Kampala this week. The launch date was not detailed.
