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 (AI) technologies.”

During the launch, a live speed test showed speeds of 1.3 Gb/s.

The next-generation network will open up new opportunities for smart cities, smart operations, businesses, healthcare, manufacturing and autonomous vehicles, leveraging automation, AI, augmented reality for troubleshooting, and the Internet of Things, 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.

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

“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.”

Telkom 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, who says that 5G in South Africa will be a game changer.

Speaking at the launch event, Wang said that the Covid-19 pandemic drove significant lifestyle changes for South Africans, amid a surge in working and learning from home and online shopping and ecommerce.

Transaction volumes from e-commerce increased by 250%, while streaming services increased by 70%, resulting in a 40% spike in data traffic.

Further, industries, amid economic challenges, require efficiency improvements, looking to differentiated technology to drive growth.

About 40% of organisations have started to digitalise and increase automation in their operations, while 45% of organisation’s are piloting cloud initiatives, and 15% are in the implementation stage, he continues.

“The changes in both the consumer sector and in industry require reliable connection, faster speeds and low latency. 5G is the best choice to solve such challenges.”

The 5G ecosystem, which is key to any technology development, is already mature globally, with more than 800-million 5G users, 225 operators in 75 countries and 830 various types of 5G smartphones available globally.

In South Africa, there are 3.5-million 5G devices, with expectations that this will increase to 5.8-million by 2025.

“4G changed people’s lives, 5G will change industry and society,” he says.

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.