(Agence Ecofin) – Senegal is preparing to join the very closed circle of African countries to deploy 5G. Some telecom operators in the country have already tested the latest generation mobile technology.
The commercial deployment of fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology in Senegal will soon be effective. The Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARTP) is preparing the launch of the call for tenders for operators who are interested in this technology. This was stated by Abdou Karim Sall, director general of the regulatory body in an interview given earlier this week to the Senegalese Press Agency (APS).
« I think that in the days to come, we will work in relation with the operators, so that we can do what is called the extension of the license. There will not be a new 5G license, rather there will be an extension of the 4G license for operators who wish to switch to 5G“, he specified.
This declaration by the new director general of ARTP confirms the announcement made in December 2022 by his predecessor Abdoul Ly on the advent of 5G in Senegal during the year 2023. It comes to delight the telecom operators who have started testing the latest generation mobile technology since 2020.
SONATEL confirmed in December 2021 its ability to offer 5G in Senegal through a second test of the technology. Its rival Free has launched an experimental phase of ultra-high speed from June 2022 with technical support from Ericsson. In addition, in July 2022 Senegal hosted Orange’s very first 5G laboratory (Orange 5G Lab) in Africa.
The advent of 5G in Senegal should in particular make it possible to meet growing consumer demand for high-speed connectivity and new digital consumption patterns resulting in particular from Covid-19. Ultra-broadband will facilitate the use of e-learning, e-government, 3D video, telemedicine, virtual reality and augmented reality, streaming, artificial intelligence, Internet of things (IoT)… It will also accelerate the Senegalese government’s digital transformation ambitions.
However, it is important to point out that the adoption of 5G might be slowed down by the high cost of phones compatible with this new technology and the cost of mobile Internet in the country.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Read also:
07/04/2023 — Senegal gets $150 million from the World Bank to accelerate its digital transformation
06/07/2022 — Senegal: Free launches an experimental phase of 5G with technical support from Ericsson
16/12/2021 — Senegal: Sonatel has confirmed its ability to offer 5G through a second test of the technology
