Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 19-09-2019

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)

Rain has become the first telecommunications operator to launch a commercial 5G network in South Africa making it available to selected existing customers.

The company says the deployment of the 5G wireless data network in certain parts of Johannesburg and Tshwane is one of the first in the world and will help South Africa to benefit from lower data costs and the coming of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

Rain has started rolling out the service, offering uncapped Internet access for R1 000/month.

In a statement, Rain chief marketing officer Khaya Dlanga says selected customers in Rain’s 5G coverage area have been invited to be the first to purchase ultra-fast 5G.

Dlanga says the service is meant as an alternative to ADSL, fibre and fixed-LTE offerings adding that Rain has seen speeds approaching 700 Mbps in ideal conditions.

“In real world conditions, we expect to see at least 200 Mbps for customers.”

Rain says during 2019 and 2020, coverage will expand to Cape Town, Durban and other major metros.

South Africa’s more established mobile operators, including Vodacom and MTN, are unable to launch 5G services until they get access to more spectrum from communications regulator Icasa.