In 2020, Vodacom South Africa made history when it launched Africa’s first-ever 5G network. This was across Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town, and it represented a significant milestone for the country as well as the continent.
There is a global race to roll out this wireless technology, as the future of web3 depends on everyone being able to always access high-speed internet. Over the last three years, people have pushed to increase access to this technology, but there’s still a long way to go.
The First Nation to Launch 5G
Africa is one of the next frontiers of the internet, as online activity is almost ubiquitous in the west now. The African continent has lagged, but efforts are now ramping up to get people online. South Africa is one of the leading nations in this push, and it stands to benefit greatly in the future if it can get the infrastructure in place now.
Vodacom implemented its 5G network in key cities in the country, where the population is high. It started in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town, and there are plans to introduce 5G to other cities in South Africa. The spread of this technology has been slow and could take some time. This is because 5G devices tend to come at high costs, limiting the number of people who can access the network.
Technological Innovation
5G opens numerous new opportunities for the gaming industry, as it will mean that players can play all sorts of games on the move.
Interest in games spreads across a wide range of categories, and each is improved with 5G. For example, it allows players to play more advanced and intricate mobile games such as real-time MMOs. It benefits the growing online casino industry as well. Players in the country enjoy spinning the reels on slots for real money, which now come with a wide range of promotions and lucrative offers. There are state-of-the-art games that run smooth animations, and these need reliable internet connections to work properly.
The esports sector, for example, has boomed to over $1 billion in value worldwide, and there are now approximately 186 million gamers in the country. Many of these people are casual, but the number of experts is increasing.
Benefits of 5G
With many countries around the world installing it, South Africa can’t afford to be left behind. The most obvious benefit is the faster speeds available, with users able to download entire HD movies in seconds.
There’s still a long way to go for 5G to become ubiquitous in South Africa. It’s currently available to around 7.5 percent of the population. Some estimates suggest that by 2050, most people in the country could have access to this high-speed network. By that time, there may even be a faster option available as well.
The entertainment industry will be enhanced greatly by the spread of 5G, which will act as a huge attraction to persuade more people to purchase 5G devices. The fast-paced development of 5G across Africa shows the increased need for online access, and its success shows that there is still a long way to go before worldwide connectivity.
