Telecommunications group Telkom, in partnership with information and communication technology giant Huawei, has officially launched its national commercial fifth-generation (5G) network.

Telkom has been quietly laying the groundwork for a significant 5G ecosystem, leveraging the most pervasive fibre network in South Africa to deliver the most 5G-ready network in the country, says Telkom Consumer and Business CEO Lunga Siyo.

Unveiled at DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg – South Africa’s first 5G-enabled stadium – the 5G network will be available wherever Telkom’s clients need it.

“5G is the next frontier of technological innovation and we are excited to bring this technology to the fingertips of all South Africans to realise the potential of a fully connected world,” he says.

“5G, with its ultra-high speed and low latency, will support new services for South African consumers, including online artificial/virtual reality gaming and ultra-high definition streaming. IT will also enable businesses with cloud and artificial intelligence technologies.”

The next-generation network will open up new opportunities for smart cities, businesses, healthcare, manufacturing and autonomous vehicles while enhancing home and business digital experiences.

While the 5G network is a superior Internet connection surpassing that of long-term evolution (LTE) and fourth-generation (4G) connections in terms of speed and reliability, Siyo points out that it is critical for the company to ensure its existing 4G ecosystem, upon which the majority of its clients still rely, remains strong while introducing 5G into the market.

“At launch Telkom will primarily focus on providing superfast 5G fixed-wireless access solutions, as the demand for mobile 5G increases, we will supplement this with suitable mobile propositions.”

The 5G network supplements Telkom’s current connectivity ecosystem offering a diversity of connectivity solutions and improved network responsiveness.

Telkom has partnered with Huawei to build and support the 5G networks.

“We look forward to creating opportunities for consumers and business, beyond connectivity, into intelligent digital services,” says Huawei South Africa Carrier Business director Fortune Wang.

Telkom has also partnered with DP World Wanderers Stadium, formerly Imperial Wanderers Stadium, in a collaboration that will showcase the “Power of Connectivity and Technology” throughout the stadium.

Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright says the stadium will become an innovative digital entertainment destination that merges the physical and digital worlds.

The stadium plans to elevate the sport fan experience from the moment they buy the tickets.

It also aims to enhance the connectivity experience of the multipurpose entertainment and lifestyle venue’s day-to-day visitors, which has grown from 50 to 60 people visiting the stadium outside of cricket days pre-Covid to between 500 to 600 people on a daily basis, including tenants and visitors to the sport medical centre, retail outlets and other sports-related activities that take place within the stadium.