Mobile operator MTN this morning initiated a long-term evolution (LTE) pilot test in five areas around Gauteng, in a move that it says is set to transform the provision of broadband services in SA.
In collaboration with Huawei and Ericsson, MTN selected customers with provisioned dongles to participate in the pilot. These subscribers received the benefits of surfing on an ultra-high-speed network that offers speeds of up to 70Mbps, across over 100 sites.
MTN's pilot network covers over 100 LTE sites in Sandton, Fourways, Centurion, Roodepoort and around OR Tambo International Airport. The activation of these sites will be done in phases, and all sites are expected to be live within the next several months.
The LTE service is expected to become commercially available within the next two to three years, once the communications regular allocates the required spectrum to enable a national rollout.
Kanagaratnam Lambotharan, MTN SA CTO, says: “Being the first operator in Africa to launch an LTE pilot network of this scale is a reaffirmation of MTN's vision to be the leading telecoms operator in emerging markets and emphasises our technology and innovation leadership in mobile communications.”
The pilot will run on 10MHz of re-farmed 1 800MHz spectrum, with speeds of 70Mbps and a latency of under 15ms. The speed is almost twice as fast as what is currently available on the market. LTE, also known as 4G, allows for faster speeds and makes it possible to stream larger amounts of data.
Lambotharan adds that MTN's early pilot of a significant-sized LTE network in areas of high traffic will give it the ability to gain better knowledge and experience about deploying LTE technology ahead of its competitors.
Ryan Gould, MTN SA GM of brand and communications, adds that the pilot and ultimately the full rollout of LTE network in the future will not only help MTN to improve brand equity, but is an investment in the future that will enhance shareholder value.
MTN has already invested R18 billion in infrastructure, and allocates R4 billion-R6 billion to upgrading its infrastructure each year. These investments also encompass undersea and fibre-optic cables in preparation of the LTE pilot, which will serve as the last mile.
MTN's deployment of an LTE network has thrown SA ahead of Lesotho, Namibia and Libya. Nigeria has already set up LTE connectivity for its corporate users in Lagos and other cities. However, before the LTE network can be commercially provided, MTN will have to wait for the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) to auction much-needed spectrum.
The auctioning of space in the 2.6GHz band, initially mooted for May last year, is on hold while ICASA waits for communications minister Roy Padayachie to sign off on parameters that will allow it to go ahead, says ICASA spokesman Paseka Maleka.
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