2G ,3G still powering Nigeria’s telecom landscape despite 5G ambitions,says report

Joy Agwunobi

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a specialised agency of the United Nations, has found that Africa had the lowest 5G coverage rate in the world at only 6 per cent as of December 2023. This is in part due to the continued importance of older mobile technologies in Africa, such as 2G and 3G networks.

The report indicated that while 2G and 3G networks are being phased out in developed countries, they remain a key part of the telecommunications landscape in many African countries, especially those with lower-income economies.

According to the ITU, 2G and 3G networks are still the predominant technologies in use in many African countries including Nigeria. This is because these networks offer a lower-cost option for providing basic mobile services, such as voice calls and text messages, in areas where 4G and 5G networks are not available. As a result, these older technologies are likely to continue to play an important role in the African telecom industry, it stated.

Since the first commercial 5G networks were deployed in 2019, the International Telecommunications Union has tracked the expansion of 5G coverage worldwide. While there has been steady progress, the growth has been uneven. High-income countries have far higher 5G coverage than low-income countries, with Europe leading the pack at 68 per cent of the population covered by 5G networks. The Americas and Asia-Pacific follow with 59 per cent and 42 per cent coverage respectively. However, Africa lags behind with the lowest coverage.

Although 5G coverage is still quite uneven, its benefits are expected to be felt worldwide. 5G networks are capable of delivering much faster download speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity than previous generations of mobile networks. These capabilities are expected to have a transformative impact on a wide range of industries, enabling new services such as autonomous vehicles, virtual and augmented reality applications, and remote healthcare. In addition, the increased connectivity enabled by 5G is expected to benefit billions of people by making it easier to access information and resources online.

The ITU’s findings are supported by the current state of 5G adoption in Nigeria. Even though three major telecom operators have launched 5G services in the country, adoption has been slow. Some of the main factors contributing to this slow adoption include the lack of spectrum allocation, the high cost of investment, and regulatory challenges. Without enough spectrum available for 5G, operators have been limited in their ability to roll out this new technology. And without a regulatory framework in place, operators have been hesitant to invest in 5G infrastructure. In addition, the cost of upgrading existing infrastructure and deploying new infrastructure has been a major obstacle for operators.

A report from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in August 2023 revealed that 60.3 per cent of subscribers in Nigeria are still using 2G or 3G networks, despite the availability of 5G services. This is due in part to the high cost of 4G and 5G devices, which makes it difficult for many people to upgrade. As a result, operators have stated that they have no plans to phase out 2G and 3G networks, as doing so would leave a large number of people without service. The NCC has acknowledged the importance of ensuring that all generations of mobile networks are maintained until 5G is widely adopted

While the deployment of 5G in Nigeria is progressing albeit at a slow pace, many experts are warning against a complete shutdown of 2G and 3G networks. They argue that millions of subscribers are still relying on these older networks, and that a complete shutdown would create a digital divide and cause significant disruption. Instead, they recommend maintaining all generations of mobile networks until 5G has been widely adopted. This will allow for a more gradual transition, ensuring that no one is left behind as the country moves towards 5G.

Mohammed Rufai, chief technical officer of MTN Nigeria, has explained that the company is well aware that many Nigerians do not have access to 4G or 5G devices and networks. He noted that MTN’s goal is to provide high-quality mobile services to all of its customers, regardless of their technology level.

As such, Rufai said MTN will continue to invest in its 3G network, enabling it to reach more customers and provide better coverage for rural areas that may not have access to newer technologies. He also noted that this approach is in line with MTN’s commitment to expanding connectivity and bringing the benefits of digital technology to all Nigerians. He added that MTN will continue to work with the NCC to ensure that all users have access to quality mobile services, no matter what type of device or network they are using.