This archive report was first published on 30 June 2021.
As Africa gears up for the arrival of 5G, a question on everyone's mind is whether this new technology is truly worth the hype. The answer, according to Oluwole Babatope, Senior Research Analyst at IDC West Africa, is a resounding yes.
Published on June 30, 2021, Babatope's insights shed light on the potential of 5G in Africa, highlighting its ability to solve various consumer and business challenges. Unlike previous mobile broadband technologies, 5G is well-equipped to address concerns around network capacity, spectral efficiency, latency, and more.
While many connectivity issues are technology-agnostic, 5G offers a unique opportunity for organisations to invest in enterprise solutions that create device ecosystems and smart platforms. Service providers can leverage 5G to enable business support services like the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), and software-defined wide area networking (SDWAN).
One of the key benefits of 5G is its ability to improve higher broadband speeds, but service providers must avoid positioning it as simply an ultra-fast broadband technology. The true value proposition of 5G lies in the services it can deliver, the experiences it can curate, and the improvements it can create beyond connectivity.
For organisations, 5G has the potential to advance their digital initiatives, driving agility and innovation. It can help improve customer experiences, transform business processes, and redefine business models, ultimately giving enterprises a competitive advantage in digital transformation.
As an innovation accelerator, 5G enables disruption and drives competitive value. Companies that ignore its potential risk gaining an advantage in saturated markets and losing opportunities in delivering exceptional experiences for customers.
Currently, 5G is nascent in Africa, with most service providers focused on maximising returns in 4G investments. However, in the short to medium term, 5G will be targeted as the next frontier for mobile broadband growth. Service providers need to proactively create a blueprint for seamless 5G migration, considering other legacy technologies and partnering with vendors that understand their proposed network strategic direction.
