MTN Nigeria’s 5G mobile network, which was launched on a commercial basis in September last year, currently reaches a total of 13 cities across the country. The Guardian cites the mobile operator’s CTO Mohammed Rufai as saying that more than 700 5G sites have been rolled out in locations including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Owerri, Ibadan, Maiduguri, Abeokuta, Ife, Warri, Enugu, Ife and Ifo. The market leader is aiming to increase 5G coverage to 10% of Nigerians by the end of the year and 40% by 2025.
Rufai added that MTN currently has no plans to shut down its existing 2G and 3G networks. ‘The fact that we are going to 5G does not mean we should not cater to the needs of the subscribers on the other technology. We must also consider those who need the lower technologies. The fact is even that 3G network can be used for other services in the future. For us in Nigeria, shutting down those technologies is not in the plan now. MTN Nigeria would take into account what subscribers need. We shall not leave anyone behind, even as we encourage people to move to higher technology. Of course, we know that a time would come when people on some of those networks will reduce, then we can take appropriate decisions on them,’ he stated.
Source: Commsupdate
