Kenya’s Equitel Becomes First MVNO in Africa to Launch 5G Services

Kenyan mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Equitel has partnered with Airtel to become the first MVNO in Africa to offer 5G services, marking a significant milestone in the continent’s technological advancement.

An MVNO is a company that provides mobile phone services without owning its own network infrastructure. Instead, they lease network capacity from established mobile network operators (MNOs) like Airtel, allowing them to offer competitive rates and unique service packages to their customers.

[DOWNLOAD OUR MAGAZINE]

• • ALVIN RUME OPHI: INSIDE THE MIND OF A CRYPTO ANALYST 
  • DONJAZZY: MAKING MILLIONS WITH CRYPTO IN 10 MINUTES
  • JUDE OZINEGBE: INSPIRING NEXT GENERATION DIGITAL ECONOMY

5G, the fifth generation of mobile network technology, promises super-fast download and upload speeds, significantly lower latency (the time it takes for data to travel between two points), and the ability to connect many more devices simultaneously compared to its predecessor, 4G.

Equitel’s 5G rollout, built on Airtel’s infrastructure, is currently available in over 370 locations across Kenya, including major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. The company plans to expand its coverage to densely populated areas like residential neighborhoods, shopping centers, and central business districts in the near future.

[READ OUR LATEST NEWS]

To access Equitel’s 5G network, users will need a 5G-enabled smartphone and a 4G-LTE SIM card. Those still using 3G SIM cards can upgrade to 4G-LTE at any Equity Bank branch.

This development is expected to have a significant impact on Kenya’s digital landscape. 5G’s increased speed and capacity could revolutionize various sectors, including:

• Businesses: Faster data transfer will facilitate smoother operations, remote collaboration, and the adoption of cloud-based technologies.
• Education: Enhanced connectivity can enable richer learning experiences with virtual reality, augmented reality, and high-definition video streaming.
• Healthcare: 5G could facilitate real-time remote monitoring of patients, faster data transfer for medical imaging, and improved telemedicine services.

SEE THE LATEST AFRICA TECH BUSINESS GRANT OPPORTUNITES HERE

Equitel’s pioneering effort in offering 5G services paves the way for increased competition and innovation in the Kenyan telecom market, ultimately benefiting consumers through wider access to advanced technologies.