MTN Nigeria has announced the launch of its 5G network service in Lagos, following a successful pilot launch as required by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry regulator. The initial phase of the launch is anticipated to spur the development and digitization of crucial sectors like healthcare, education, gaming, and manufacturing. The MTN 5G router offers lightning-fast internet speeds, a broad Wi-Fi connection range (up to 32 devices), reduced latency, and a 100GB activation data bonus.
To reap the benefits of the 5G network, customers must have compatible 5G devices, such as routers, mobile phones, tablets, iPads, PCs, and smart TVs, according to the leading telecoms firm. The MTN Nigeria spectrum, granted to the company as one of two successful 5G licence winners (the other being Mafab Communications Ltd), promises a bright future for the technology. The GSMA Intelligence report titled “The Mobile Economy” predicts that the 5G project will contribute $2.2 trillion to the global economy by 2034.
At the launch event, Mohammed Rufai, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Technical Officer, said, “5G will revolutionize the way we communicate and live across various industries. With the lightning-fast speeds that 5G provides, we will experience a seamless virtual interaction with no lag. At MTN, we are committed to rolling out 5G technology to transform internet access across Africa.”
What Can 5G Do?
MTN Nigeria’s 5G network will be powered by software-defined network capabilities, utilizing a blend of presently available and well-understood artificial intelligence techniques to facilitate a higher degree of autonomous operation. Artificial intelligence creates opportunities for improved performance, increased efficiency, and better customer experience while creating new business models and use cases for IoT, enterprise, and 5G.
The 5G network is expected to provide millions of new consumers in the country with lightning-fast internet speeds and reduced latency, unlocking the true potential of IoT, AI, Smart Cities, and Immersive Communication through Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). The new 5G services can help to promote unique sustainable development initiatives for agriculture, energy, financial inclusion, and security, overcoming past institutional challenges and barriers to growth.
How Fast is 5G?
The MTN 5G network is undeniably speedy. Previously, it took 20-25 minutes to upload a 3-gigabyte video with 4G; however, with 5G, it takes less than 15 minutes. A speed test conducted in Opebi, where the 5G network is enabled, resulted in an impressive MTN 5G speed. The network’s speed and latency levels vary depending on the area in which it is available, which explains the difference in results. The network is available in 81 locations in Lagos, 42 in Abuja, 30 in Port Harcourt, 13 in Oyo state, and five other states in Nigeria.
Downsides of the MTN 5G Router
Like any other innovative technology, the MTN 5G router has some drawbacks. We identified three significant downsides of the MTN 5G router: no battery or power bank, no unlimited internet, and the price/data plan.
No Battery or Power Bank
The router lacks an inbuilt battery or power bank to charge it in the absence of power, such as HyNetflex External’s 4000mAh battery. Although the product is intended for use in offices or homes, most users will connect it to devices that have their inbuilt batteries. As a result, users may not be able to connect and possibly introduce new data plans to cater to the increased demand from users.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a high-speed internet router with 5G capability, the MTN 5G router is definitely worth considering. It offers a range of benefits that can enhance your online experience, and with the increasing coverage of 5G in Nigeria, it may be a smart investment for the future