Johannesburg – Two of Africa’s leading operators, Vodacom and MTN, have announced groundbreaking technology deployments in South Africa, each marking a first for the continent and pushing forward next-generation connectivity.
Vodacom: First Dual-Band Massive MIMO in Africa
Vodacom South Africa has successfully deployed a dual-band massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) radio in Cape Town, the first of its kind on African soil.
The advanced radio integrates two spectrum bands – n78 (3.5GHz) and B41 (2.6GHz) – into a single compact unit. Unlike traditional deployments that require separate radio units, this dual-band approach optimises both LTE and 5G services, delivering several benefits:
- More efficient use of spectrum and energy.
- Streamlined installation and reduced maintenance complexity.
- Lower cost base with faster rollout of services.
- Enhanced user experience across both 4G and 5G networks.
Vodacom said the deployment signals the start of its next wave of network modernisation and demonstrates its commitment to expanding high-performance connectivity while managing operational efficiency.
MTN: World’s First 5-Band RRU Commercial Deployment
Meanwhile, MTN South Africa, in partnership with ZTE, announced the world’s first commercial deployment of a 5-band remote radio unit (RRU) in the Western Cape.
The 5-band RRU integrates all of MTN’s low and mid-band FDD spectrum into one compact unit. Powered by ZTE’s custom chipset, the solution significantly reduces the physical and operational challenges of tower-based infrastructure:
- 50% reduction in the number of RAN modules.
- 23% reduction in equipment weight.
- 18% lower wind resistance.
- Simplified deployment processes and faster site construction.
The deployment also introduces ZTE’s Super-N amplifier architecture, which surpasses the traditional Doherty design by dynamically activating power amplifiers as needed. This innovation has achieved a 42.7% reduction in site power consumption and a 45.8% improvement in energy efficiency (Wh/GB).
A Step Forward for Africa’s Digital Future
Together, the announcements by Vodacom and MTN highlight Africa’s growing leadership in adopting cutting-edge telecom technologies. These deployments not only boost network capacity and performance but also advance energy efficiency and sustainability — key considerations for the evolution of mobile networks.
