MTN South Africa Hits 10.35 Gbps in Africa’s First Upper 6GHz 5G-Advanced Trial

MTN South Africa  has completed what it describes as Africa’s first 5G-Advanced Upper 6GHz (U6GHz) network trial, achieving peak download speeds of 10.35 Gbps in partnership with Huawei.  The trial was conducted at MTN’s headquarters in Randburg under a temporary radio licence issued by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).

The trial combined a dedicated 5G Standalone core network, ultra-wideband active antennas and advanced beamforming technologies across 400 MHz of bandwidth. MTN said the results demonstrate the capacity, speed and efficiency that U6GHz spectrum could deliver. MTN South Africa CEO Ferdi Moolman described the trial as evidence of the importance of continued innovation, while Huawei’s Alex Xing identified the band as an important spectrum resource for 5G-Advanced and 6G, adding that Huawei would support MTN’s commercial network verification.

The trial comes as South Africa considers the future use of the 6 GHz band for mobile connectivity. ICASA’s National Radio Frequency Plan 2026 identifies the 6425 MHz to 7125 MHz range, covering 700 MHz of spectrum, for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT). However, the regulator’s plan also retains allocations for fixed links and satellite services within parts of the band and states that a feasibility study and Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan for the range are still required.

Although MTN’s announcement reportedly describes the band as formally allocated to IMT, the spectrum has not yet been assigned to an individual mobile operator. The international framework also allows for other services, including wireless access systems such as Wi-Fi, meaning the identification for mobile use does not automatically establish priority over other services. Industry groups, including the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, have advocated for licence-exempt Wi-Fi access to the band, while the lower 6 GHz range, from 5925 MHz to 6425 MHz, remains identified for wireless access systems and radio local area networks.

The reported peak speed of 10.35 Gbps was achieved under controlled conditions at a single site and should not be interpreted as the speed customers would routinely experience on a commercial network. The trial builds on an earlier MTN and Huawei 5.5G test in November 2024, which achieved 8.6 Gbps using millimetre-wave and C-band spectrum.

MTN said U6GHz spectrum could provide additional network capacity in high-demand locations such as transport hubs, shopping centres, stadiums and university campuses. It could also support fixed wireless broadband services in areas where deploying fibre infrastructure is difficult or costly.

The trial highlights the potential of Upper 6 GHz spectrum to support future mobile broadband demand and the development of advanced 5G services. However, commercial deployment will depend on ICASA’s ongoing assessment and the development of a formal spectrum assignment plan.