MTN received 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz and E-band spectrum for the 5G network
On Friday, MTN Uganda became the first operator to launch a 5G network in East Africa, with coverage in Uganda’s Kampala districts of Lugogo and Bugoloobi.
MTN received 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz and E-band (71 GHz-76 GHz/81 GHz-86 GHz) spectrum from the Uganda Communication Commission.
Sylvia Mulinge, the CEO of MTN Uganda, said the company is proud to have achieved this milestone and believes “this cutting-edge network service will play a pivotal role in driving ICT solutions for economic growth and fostering unparalleled digital experiences for all Ugandans.”
MTN is a South African-based telco and is the largest mobile operator in Uganda with around 15 million subscribers. The company has already launched 5G services in South Africa, Nigeria and Zambia.
Airtel followed closely behind with a 5G launch in Uganda’s Buganda region over the weekend using the 800MHz, 3.5GHz and E-band spectrum it secured. Airtel has already tested 5G at 11 sites in Kampala and according to the carrier’s Managing Director Manoj Murali, it will deploy 5G across 50 sites this week. “We shall continue to update the country via social media with 5G covered areas in Kampala as we roll out this revolutionary service across the country,” he said. “We strongly believe that by the end of the year we will have covered many more sites especially in the cities.”
