MTN South Africa and ZTE Corporation have collaborated to develop Africa's first 5G ultra-range maritime offshore coverage at Mossel Bay, in the Western Cape, South Africa.

The deployment of ultra-range 5G network will enable high-speed, reliable Internet access in previously hard-to-reach maritime areas, bringing unprecedented connectivity to the region’s waters.

“By launching Africa’s first 5G maritime network in South Africa, MTN is setting a new benchmark in connectivity,” said MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi, adding that it also opens up new horizons for economic growth and technological advancement across the continent.

In what the parties called a new era in maritime communication, the initiative delivers more than 210 Mb/s throughput at 22 km from the shore, with the enhanced connectivity benefiting fisheries, shipping, tourism, sea rescue and marine research.

It also improves operational efficiency and data transmission, while supporting marine ecological protection through advanced 5G services such as live streaming and video applications.

The initiative supports innovative applications such as real-time vessel tracking, advanced navigation systems and remote monitoring, which will contribute to safer and more efficient maritime operations.

Local fishermen will benefit from improved access to weather forecasts, market prices and communication tools, which, in turn, will enable better planning, enhance safety and open new opportunities for direct sales and global market access, thereby improving their economic stability.

ZTE South Africa CEO Luca Shen added that the collaboration with MTN represents a significant step forward in maritime technology.

“With our 5G ultra maritime coverage, we are setting a new standard for connectivity and enabling Africa to harness the full potential of its maritime resources.”

The deployment of 5G ultra-range maritime coverage is a strategic part of MTN and ZTE’s broader initiative to leverage technology for socioeconomic development.

The project also aligns with the African Union and South Africa’s vision for a digitally connected continent and country and supports various Sustainable Development Goals, including economic growth and innovation.

“Our 5G network covers 44% of the South African population, this is a steady increase by 19% from last year’s 25% coverage. Our focus going forward is to deploy more 5G – we have already rolled out 900 new 5G sites in 2024,” concluded Molapisi.