The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has updated its roadmap for the issue of spectrum in the 700MHz, 2600MHz and 26GHz bands, some of which will aid the country’s 5G ambitions.
Given the high demand for the spectrum in question, ZICTA scheduled the release of 700MHz frequencies from Q1 2023 to Q3 2022. According to reports, a 40MHz block of 2600MHz spectrum that went unsold at auction last month will also be put back up for sale during the same timeframe.
To accommodate these changes, ZICTA then pushed back the sale of 26GHz spectrum scheduled for Q3 2022 into the fourth quarter. The regulator confirmed that this band would be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
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In a statement, ZICTA explains further: “These critical changes to the roadmap are part of the urgent measures to improve competition in the ICT sector, promote investment and accelerate the extensive provision of services in underserved and unserved areas as well as improve the quality of electronic communication services for consumers in the country,”
The regulator previously identified spectrum in 700MHz, 800MHz, 2600MHz, 26GHz and C-band (3300–4200MHz) for use in the deployment of 5G services in the country.
In July, the regulator raised US$41.55 million in the spectrum sale where Airtel Zambia emerged as the biggest spender offering US$29 million for 20MHz in the 800MHz band and 50MHz in the 2600MHz band.
Furthermore, MTN Zambia bid US$12.55 million for 50MHz in the 2600MHz band.
The Emergence of 5G Spectrum
During the first quarter of 2022, MTN Zambia became the first telco to launch 5G in the Southern African nation.
MTN said the 5G network pilot promises significantly improved technology, which will enhance faster connectivity speed, ultra-low latency and greater bandwidth.
“5G technology can connect virtually everyone and everything, including machines, objects and devices. We are moving into an era of ubiquitous connectivity,” said MTN Zambia CEO Bart Hofker at the launch.
“MTN Zambia will be rolling out 5G pilot demonstration sites in Lusaka and Copperbelt Provinces. We are eager to set up specific and relevant use cases with our Zambian customers and partners to expand social and commercial horizons, alongside the rest of the world,” he added.
5G cellular networks are at least 10-times faster than 4G, which creates never-before-seen opportunities for people and businesses in Zambia, MTN said.
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“The 5G pilot launch by MTN Zambia has the capability to enhance social, cultural and commercial participation amongst the citizens of Zambia and also the global community,” said Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati, who spoke at the launch event.
“Although we are still in the early stages, the rollout of 5G technology has the potential to drive unprecedented inclusive growth in Zambia. It will transform how we live and work and offer exciting new opportunities for entrepreneurs and youth in our country.
“Now is the time to begin putting in place the necessary building blocks to facilitate the transition to 5G and the Zambian government is committed to creating a healthy environment to encourage these technology developments,” Mutati added.
According to statistics from market research company Omdia, MTN was the leading mobile operator in Zambia at the end of 2021 with over 8.3 million subscribers. Close behind is Airtel Zambia with around 7.6 million users and the third operator, Zamtel, had about 3.7 million subscriptions.
The Future of 5G
The issuing of 5G spectrum in the Southern African country is a step forward toward commercial launches of the next generation tech, following peers like South Africa and Zimbabwe. The launch of 5G spectrum put Zambia among the first ten countries in Africa to pilot 5G technology.
According to statistics from market research company Omdia, Airtel Zambia overtook MTN Zambia and became the leading mobile operator in Zambia in the second quarter of 2022, with over 8.5 million subscribers.
MTN Zambia was second with around 7.2 million users, and the third operator, Zamtel, had about 4.25 million mobile subscriptions.