Any carrier, anywhere in the world, can call Huawei, Ericsson, or Nokia. Three months later, the telco can turn on something called 5G. Telma, the largest carrier in Madagascar, called in Ericsson and has turned on "5G" in Antananarivo. As you can see in the release below, there is no data on speed, latency, frequency, number of upgraded cells, or coverage %.
As usual, the pr department needs better fact-checking. In the release below, Telma claims it is the first in Africa. But Vodacom announced a small 5G "deployment" in May.
The only substantial 5G deployment is Rain in South Africa, which had 447 towers upgraded in April. It has over 4,000 4G sites and 1500 are scheduled for 5G by the end of 2021.
It turns out 5G NR is not important for Africa. 4G/5G Massive MIMO and mid-band spectrum are the path to the capacity needed. See 5X Advance for Africa with Massive MIMO, Spectrum
JUNE 2020
TELMA Madagascar launches with ERICSSON the first 5G services in Africa
• The new 5G TELMA network is available today, June 26, 2020.
• 5G will be used to power new mainstream services in education, health, IoT and future commercial applications.
June 26, 2020, in Antananarivo . TELMA Madagascar has activated its 5G commercial network to offer subscribers very high speed services thanks to the new generation of mobile connectivity. Powered by ERICSSON (NASDAQ: ERIC), the 5G network is now operational in Antananarivo.
TELMA launches 5G in Madagascar and makes it the first African country to benefit from the new generation of mobile connectivity
TELMA, the Malagasy telecom operator of the AXIAN Group, announces the launch of 5G in Madagascar. The new network was opened to the general public on June 26 and made Madagascar the first 5G commercial network in Africa. The two key uses of 5G for the Malagasy market are improved mobile broadband (eMBB) and fi xed wireless access (FWA). With more capacity, higher data speeds and reduced latency, 5G will deliver new experiences for Telma customers, from gaming and entertainment services to IoT and business applications. This new technology will also make it possible to redesign the technological and entrepreneurial landscape on the Big Island as an extension of the action of the AXIAN Group.
Patrick Pisal-Hamida, Managing Director of TELMA Madagascar , said: “5G will transform the way we use and adopt technology and will have a huge impact on the economy and the country. This technology will provide high speed, ultra-low latency and highly secure connectivity to a large number of devices; it is a technology that will open up a wide range of new uses via the TELMA next-generation network, in particular in education and health.
We are very proud to be among the first countries in the world to deploy this technology. It is a new step forward for Madagascar as one of the main ICT countries in the Indian Ocean and Africa. "
For TELMA the digital transformation of Madagascar goes through 5G.
By supporting the development of the Internet and mobile services and by enabling businesses and individuals to access a broadband connection, TELMA is meeting the challenges of digital transformation in Madagascar.
With an ambitious investment policy in Madagascar (more than 10,000 km of fiber optic cables and leader in the development of 3G, 4G, and 4G +), TELMA has enabled the Malagasy population to benefit from the fastest internet connection in the world. 'Africa and the first mobile money solution in Madagascar (MVOLA), making it possible finally in Madagascar to become a world center of reference in the optimization of business processes (BPO).
Madagascar is now posting a strong increase in its mobile penetration rate, which now reaches 40% of the population, with more than 2.4 million Facebook users in particular.
TELMA proves once again that it is contributing on a large scale to the digital transformation of Madagascar. Following the recent health crisis, the importance of this transformation becomes a priority to respond to economic and social emergencies and provide all Malagasy with innovative solutions for better access to education, health and public services throughout the country.
“We have decided to accelerate the launch of 5G to enable real digital transformation in Madagascar and to respond today to the challenges revealed by the Covid crisis19. The key role of telecoms during this crisis clearly shows the strategic nature of our activities and the relevance of our choices in terms of digital inclusion. » Underlines Hassanein Hiridjee, PCA of TELMA & CEO of AXIAN Group.
ABOUT TELMA MADAGASCAR
TELMA Madagascar is the leading telecommunications operator on the Big Island.
A pioneer of 5G technology in Madagascar, TELMA deploys state-of-the-art infrastructures and technologies to offer the best in telecommunications, information and entertainment to its customers. As the innovation leader in Madagascar, TELMA is committed to leaving no one behind in the global digital revolution.
ABOUT THE AXIAN GROUP
TELMA is a company of the AXIAN Group.
Born in Madagascar 150 years ago, AXIAN is a diversi fi ed group present in 5 activity sectors with high growth potential: real estate, telecoms, fi nancial services, energy and innovation. With more than 4,900 employees in the Indian Ocean and in Africa, we are a partner in the economic transformation of emerging countries. Because being connected now becomes a fundamental right, AXIAN supports companies in the Telecom sector to offer the best in digital innovations and allow as many people as possible to be connected to their loved ones and to the world.