Senegal is about to join the small circle of African countries that are deploying 5G technology. Some telecommunications operators in the country have already tested the latest generation mobile technology.

The commercial deployment of fifth generation mobile technology (5G) in Senegal will take effect shortly. The Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARTP) is preparing to launch the tender for operators interested in this technology. This was stated by Abdou Karim Sall, Director General of the regulatory body, in an interview given earlier this week to the Senegalese Press Agency (APS).

«I think that in the next few days we will work with the operators so that we can do what is called the license extension. There will not be a new 5G license, but rather an extension of the 4G license of operators who wish to move to 5G," he said.

This statement by the new Director General of the ARTP confirms the announcement made in December 2022 by his predecessor Abdoul Ly about the arrival of 5G in Senegal during 2023. It brings joy to telecommunications operators who have begun to test mobile technology latest generation since 2020.

SONATEL confirmed in December 2021 its ability to offer 5G in Senegal through a second trial of the technology. Its rival Free has launched an ultra-high-speed experimental phase starting in June 2022 with technical support from Ericsson. Additionally, in July 2022, Senegal hosted Africa's first Orange 5G Lab.

The arrival of 5G in Senegal should make it possible to respond to the growing demand for high-speed connectivity by consumers and the new patterns of digital consumption derived, in particular, from Covid-19.

Ultra-high-speed broadband will facilitate the use of e-learning, e-government, 3D video, telemedicine, virtual and augmented reality, streaming, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), etc. It will also accelerate the Senegalese Government's digital transformation ambitions.

However, it is important to note that the adoption of 5G could be slowed by the high cost of phones compatible with this new technology and the cost of mobile Internet in the country.

Source: EcomNewsAfrique