MTN launches Congo's first 5G network

MTN Congo has officially launched its 5G network, marking a significant milestone as it becomes the first country in Central Africa to do so

The announcement comes two years after MTN Congo initiated a pilot-phase 5G network in October 2022, establishing itself as the first operator to conduct a 5G pilot in the country.

At that time, Leon Juste Ibombo, the country's telecoms minister, revealed that tests had achieved data speeds exceeding 10Gbps, setting the stage for the operator to prepare for commercial 5G services in the Republic of the Congo. Ibombo also noted the government's commitment to expedite the provision of a technologically neutral license, allowing operators to set up and manage a public terrestrial cellular mobile network for electronic communication services.

In light of this recent launch, MTN Congo expressed appreciation to local authorities, especially to Leon Juste Ibombo and Louis-Marc Sakala, the telecom regulator's representative, acknowledging that this progress will create new opportunities for connectivity and innovation.

MTN Congo emphasised that "This technological advancement is an unprecedented opportunity to boost the development and growth of businesses," highlighting that the country is entering a new digital era with the introduction of the 5G network. Additionally, there were 2.24 million Internet users in the Congo as of January 2024, with an Internet penetration rate of 36.2% of the total population, projected to rise to 62.48% by the end of the year.