Rain, a South African telecommunication company partnered with Huawei Technologies to launch the first commercial 5G connectivity in the country. Rain is the first telco to commercialize the 5G broadband connectivity in Africa.
The 5G network will be useful for individuals and companies which make use of modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Virtual Realities, and Blockchain. Rain is preparing South Africa towards the forthcoming Fourth Industrial revolution (4IR).
All that is required to access the internet is the routers. According to Khaya Dlanga, Chief Marketing Officer at Rain, the speed of the 5G connectivity alongside the latest WiFi 6 technology installed in the router will enable users to stream high-definition videos simultaneously to multiple devices. This will provide wider network coverage and at the same time, provide cost-effective data services for South Africans. “Access to affordable, fast broadband is key for the country to revive economic growth,” he added.
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The wireless 5G service will be available to selected existing subscribers in some parts of Johannesburg and Tshwane. The ultra-fast 5G network will offer unlimited internet at speeds of up to 700Mbit per second. Rain will deliver the 5G routers to customer’s homes and the subscription will go at R1000 per month.
Rain is also working with Huawei Technologies and WITS University to develop a 5G Innovation Lab for young engineers. It would serve as a hub for developers to develop ideated innovative solutions. Rain plans to extend the 5G network coverage to major metropolitan areas in South Africa by 2020.
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