Vodacom becomes the first telecom operator to launch 5G

The Vodacom group has set itself the goal of improving the lives of 100 million new customers in Africa by 2025. To this end, the company is increasing investments in the modernization of its network on its different African markets. It has already rolled out 5G in Tanzania. 

Mobile operator Vodacom Mozambique announced on Saturday April 29 that it has launched fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology in Mozambique. The company becomes the first telecom company in the country to commercially deploy this technology, which should improve the quality of mobile connectivity services nationwide.

“5G technology will significantly improve the quality of telecommunications service provided in the country, especially in the materialization of the Internet of Things (IoT), all things smart (smart cities, smart agriculture, smart ports, etc. ), because it is the technology that best supports these cases, after 4G ,” said Mateus Magala, Minister of Transport and Communications.

The deployment of 5G is part of the Vodacom group’s “Vision 2025” strategic plan. In the “Digital Society” section, the company has set itself the objective of connecting and improving the lives of 100 million new subscribers in a context marked by demand for high-speed connectivity and the acceleration of the transformation digital across Africa. The company has already rolled out ultra-broadband in Tanzania, among other investments.

The deployment of 5G should allow Vodacom to strengthen its leading position in the Mozambican mobile telephony market, which it competes with Movitel and Tmcel. The latter announced in April 2022 its intention to deploy commercial 5G “in a few months” with the technical expertise of Huawei. The project was notably slowed down by the financial problems that are hampering the activities of the public company.

For Nuno Quelhas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vodacom Mozambique, 5G should help improve the quality of life and promote the socio-economic development of the country. “ It will enable, among other things, an intelligent transport network, asset tracking, the deployment of smart meters (water, light, etc.), smart cities, industrial automation, home broadband, using the 5G, as well as smart offices ,” he added.