INDUSTRY WATCH: TELECOMS
transport capacity required for 5G, but
it is also an opportunity to deploy 5G
for last mile broadband high capacity
services. Therefore, investments in fixed
infrastructure can be complemented
with 5G deployment.
“The other challenge”, Moya continues,
“is the availability of spectrum. There
are two sets of spectrums that can
be used for 5G. These are sub-6GHz
spectrum, with frequencies below 6GHz,
and then, of course, all the frequencies
that are above 6GHz. Both have their
own set of benefits and challenges.
Omar Moya, Head of Radio Business Unit, Nokia MEA
and 4.9G implementations from
2018. Also during 2018, we expect
demo activities of 5G, and actual
implementation of commercial pilots
is expected to take place somewhere
between 2019 and 2020.”
Moya stresses the importance of
recognising that 5G will be driven by
use cases, and these will be region-
specific. For example, if North America
and South Korea (current leaders in 5G
deployment), implement 5G initially for
augmented reality, the same scenario
might not necessarily trigger the
deployment of 5G in Africa.
ZTE is one of the leaders in 5G and
is currently working closely with
several major players, developing
and testing 5G technologies. Fu
Zhen, CTO at ZTE South Africa says
that whilst developments are still
in ‘pre-5G’ infancy, it is difficult to
accurately identify the benefits that
5G will bring. Whilst 5G will increase
opportunity and create jobs in new
areas, the introduction of driverless
cars, remotely operated machines and
smart agriculture that 5G will enable,
will simultaneously mean that lower-
skilled jobs will be lost. With this in
mind, Zhen says: “We must deploy
new technologies like 5G in a way that
minimises their negative impact on
society here in Africa.”
66
INTELLIGENTCIO
Whilst globally 5G is introducing exciting
new use cases beyond subscriber data,
including augmented reality, 360
videos and V2X, Moya reemphasises
the importance of focusing on African
requirements and applications. The
increase in connected utilities is one
example of this; with several areas in
Africa relying on renewable energy
sources such as solar power or wind
power generators, the ability to connect
these networks could increase efficiency
and optimise costs of deployment.
5G has the potential to improve quality
of life, continues Moya: “There are
already discussions around use cases
such as extreme broadband, allowing
high capacity data services in areas
with no fibre. 5G will give us the ability
to provide advanced remote healthcare
services, allowing patients to connect
with a doctor many kilometres away.”
“Frequencies above 6GHz have more
capacity, but also have reduced
propagation, covering only a small
area. On the other hand, sub-6GHz
spectrum has lower capacity, but
covers bigger areas with better
propagation. The challenge in Africa is
going to be the allocation of spectrum,
which is dependent on the regulators
in the different countries. The
frequency licensing process can take
several years in some countries, and
requires early alignment with operators
to process swiftly.”
Despite Africa facing uncertainty around
the regional benefits and practicalities,
Zhen reiterates the importance of
keeping up with technology to ensure
that when the time comes, the
necessary infrastructure is in place and
Africa is not forced to play catch up.
Preparing for the faster future
The focus is currently on the broadband
benefits of 5G which are associated
with higher frequencies. Zhen says when
Use cases in Africa will also span to smart
cities and connected vehicles for public
transport, which will in the long-term
optimise costs and increase reliability.
Inhibitors
The current obstacles facing 5G in
Africa come back to infrastructure, but
within these challenges lies opportunity,
as Moya points out: “The lack of
fibre infrastructure is a challenge for
Fu Zhen, CTO at ZTE South Africa
www.intelligentcio.com