Mobile data-only network operator, Rain has announced the launch of the first 5G commercial network in South Africa, in partnership with Huawei.<\/p>\n
With Huawei’s end-to-end 5G solutions, Rain has been able to build the 5G network using its 3.6GHz spectrum, it said.<\/p>\n
In the first phase of roll out, Rain has deployed 20 new base stations in Johannesburg and Cape Town, covering the main districts of the two cities.<\/p>\n
Rain Group CEO Willem Roos said that the network will provide fibre-like speeds without the installation complexities, time delays and cost of laying fibre in under-serviced areas.<\/p>\n
Apart from deploying new base stations, Huawei will enable Rain to fully leverage its existing LTE network and allocated spectrum for 5G deployment.<\/p>\n
“This approach of sharing facilities and leveraging existing infrastructure will enable Rain to roll out the 5G network in a quick and cost-effective manner,” the group said.<\/p>\n
According to the plan, Rain will continue to cover major cities in South Africa with 5G networks, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, to provide ultra-broadband services to homes
\nand enterprises.<\/p>\n
In September 2019, Rain will release 5G mobile phone products and plans to further promote 5G-enabled applications in terms of industry video, remote driving and smart manufacturing.<\/p>\n
“Rain is very optimistic about the business prospects of South Africa’s 5G network, and will continue to invest more in 5G networks and better serve users,” Roos said.<\/p>\n