5G in Nigeria: All You Need to Know and More
****Drum Rolls**** It’s here, it’s live… 5G has finally arrived! After months of teasing and countdown, MTN, the biggest mobile network provider in Nigeria, has finally deployed 5G! We know they are piloting the service in seven cities: Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abuja, Maiduguri, Kano, and Owerri. We have also been informed that the services have been deployed in 81 areas in Lagos (Ikorodu, Ikotun, Egbeda, and the rest of the trenches communities would have to wait their turn).
Theoretically, 5G is around 20 times faster than 4G, but as with all things technology and beyond, theory and reality are often mutually exclusive-Life no balance! We tested MTN 5G in Unilag; the video is Here, and while the maths wasn’t mathing, we have some answers to your questions:
Speed
On paper, 5G is supposed to be 20 times faster than 4G (1Gbps vs. 20Gbps), but the infrastructure is where the comma dey. 5G operates via either the Mmwave or the Sub-6GHz frequencies. Sub-6GHz utilises mid and low frequencies (under 6GHz); meanwhile, mmwave uses higher frequency radio bands ranging from 24GHz to 40GHz. When you hear foreigners rave about 5G speed, they are more often than not talking about Mmwave. Deploying Mmwave is relatively more expensive, so most network providers (even in developed countries) deploy Sub-6Ghz frequencies. Per our 5G tests in UNILAG, we suspect MTN is broadcasting 5G using the Sub-6GHz. When you get your 5G-enabled mobile phone, temper your expectations.
TLDR? Mmwave offers better speed, but the range is limited. Sub-6Ghz offers 4G-like speed; however, the range is wider, so network providers (especially the early adopters) are more likely to deploy Sub-6Ghz to save costs.
You will not likely be able to download 10Gb in 10 seconds any time soon. The tech will take time to mature or not
Compatibility
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. Your iPhone 11 Pro Max is a great phone, but I have bad news, it doesn’t support 5G. Only iPhone 12 and newer iPhones can use 5G. Similarly, All Samsung phones before Samsung Galaxy S10 5G are not compatible with 5G. To join the 1% of the 1%, you have to upgrade. Luckily, Ogabassey dey for you. You can get a 5G-enabled phone at an affordable price and even pay in instalments by clicking HERE.
Availability
MTN has deployed 5G in many areas in Lagos, but some users with 5G-enabled phones (Some iPhones and Samsung users) are not receiving 5G signals yet. If you are one of them, No too worry yourself; MTN claim they are working on it, e go soon reach you. Other network providers will jump on the 5G train in the coming months. So, e go soon soft!
Have you started receiving MTN 5G signals on your phone? Which 5G-enabled phone would you like to get from Ogabassey? Tell us in the comment section.
