MTN to Decommission 3G by 2025/26
MTN has announced that following their plans to enable 5G connectivity to 25% of the South African population the company intends now to decommission 3G in 2025-2026.
“South African business, which is the largest after Nigeria, had the least amount of spectrum in the group before the auction. Following the auction, MTN South Africa is now in the middle of the pack.”
Ralph Mupita, CEO, MTN Group
“The ambition is clear, this year we will deliver 25% population coverage on 5G, and by 2025 we are going to take the coverage on the 5G layer to 60%.
The (3G) decommissioning will bring with it the spectrum that we are going to use on the 5G layer or even the 4G. We see 4G technology as long term. Fourth and fifth-generation technology could co-exist for longer periods.”
Charles Molapisi, CEO, MTN South Africa
