MTN Nigeria and Huawei Deliver Record 25Gbps Microwave Link in Major 5G-Ready Milestone

MTN Nigeria  has recorded a major milestone in telecommunications after successfully testing the first commercial 25Gbps full-duplex microwave link in Sub-Saharan Africa, in partnership with Huawei Nigeria. 

The breakthrough test, conducted on the E-band frequency spectrum, leveraged advanced full-duplex technology operating at 80 GHz. It achieved a data transmission rate of 25 Gbps using the 1000 MHz E-band spectrum, delivering a fourfold improvement in spectral efficiency compared to conventional E-band solutions. The development sets a new benchmark for network capacity and performance across the region.

According to the company, the innovation is expected to significantly enhance ultra-high-speed connectivity and support next-generation mobile services across Nigeria. Yahaya Ibrahim, Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria, described the achievement as a major leap forward for the telecom industry.

“We take pride in being the first mobile operator within the MTN Group, and across Sub-Saharan Africa, to test this advanced microwave data transmission technology. This underscores our strong commitment to innovation and the continuous evolution of our network capabilities in response to a rapidly advancing digital landscape. By utilising next-generation solutions and fostering strategic partnerships, we are improving network quality, enhancing customer experience, and solidifying our position for sustained growth and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.”

– Yahaya Ibrahim, Chief Technical Officer, MTN Nigeria

The advancement comes as demand for data-intensive services such as video streaming, augmented reality (AR), and low-latency applications continues to rise, placing greater pressure on telecom infrastructure. The full-duplex radio link technology is designed to meet these growing needs by enabling higher-capacity and faster communication networks.

Engineered for integration into 5G infrastructure, the technology can support up to 50 Gbps transmission over 2000 MHz per link, made possible through high-isolation antenna design, improved spectrum efficiency, and advanced interference management systems.

MTN confirmed that the recent trial successfully achieved 25Gbps using 1000 MHz of available spectrum, marking a significant step forward for Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and reinforcing its position as a leader in ICT innovation within Africa.

The full-duplex system allows simultaneous two-way data transmission across frequency pairs, unlike traditional systems that transmit in a single direction at a time. This innovation significantly enhances efficiency, speed, and network performance, supporting the evolving demands of 5G connectivity and digital transformation.