Connectivity underpins nearly every aspect of daily life – from accessing essential services to participating in economic and social opportunities. But not all connections are created equal – nor should they be.
As digital transformation deepens across Sub-Saharan Africa, progress now depends on moving beyond generic coverage to smarter, context-aware networks that respond in real time to people's needs.
And this is precisely why Ericsson introduced Differentiated Connectivity — a new approach that empowers networks to respond intelligently and in real time to critical needs.
Rather than treating all traffic equally, this model allows operators to dynamically allocate resources, ensuring the right performance is delivered at the right moment, based on the application and the urgency of the situation.
Differentiated connectivity is a shift in mindset and technology. It recognizes that a one-size-fits-all approach to connectivity is not actually the best option. Instead, networks should dynamically adapt to ensure the right level of performance is delivered at the right time, for the applications and moments that matter most.
Whether enabling real-time video consultations in clinics across rural areas like the Karoo region or powering intelligent transport systems in Johannesburg, connectivity must flex to meet the moment.
With mobile subscriptions expected to reach 1,270 million by 2030 in Sub-Saharan Africa, the growing centrality of mobile networks in daily life is unmistakable. South Africa is already at the forefront of this trend, with strong 4G coverage and active 5G deployments.
But true digital inclusion will require networks that do more than connect – they must prioritise, respond, and optimise based on user intent.
The difference becomes especially clear in critical scenarios. In a healthcare setting, a dropped signal during a remote diagnostic session is not merely an inconvenience – it could be the difference between early intervention and delayed treatment.
During emergencies, first responders rely on networks to share video, data, and location information in real time. These are not everyday data flows – they are mission-critical services that require enhanced reliability and guaranteed performance.
This is where differentiated connectivity comes in. Ericsson, together with Telecom operators, is striving to bring the latest technologies — including 5G Standalone (SA), cloud-native orchestration, and 5G dual-core architectures — to life across mobile networks enabling advancements like network slicing, dynamic Quality of Service control, and advanced automation,
In fact, as national digital agendas and population growth drive greater demand on mobile networks, these will increasingly need to deliver more than basic access – they must intelligently allocate resources to serve use cases where speed and reliability are non-negotiable.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the opportunity to deploy these capabilities is significant. The region has a strong foundation of mobile infrastructure, a tech-savvy and youthful population, and a growing appetite for digital services.
More importantly, there are pressing societal priorities – improving access to healthcare, expanding digital education, supporting small businesses – that can benefit directly from more intelligent and responsive networks. By 2030, 5G subscriptions in the region are expected to grow significantly to around 400 million. This momentum is not only reshaping the urban experience but also paving the way for inclusion in underserved communities.
Differentiated connectivity is not only about critical services. It is also about supporting the small yet significant moments that matter to each of us. It might be streaming the winning play of your child's school match, getting in-demand concert tickets at launch, or sharing a surprise video call with a loved one overseas – experiences that carry deep personal weight.
In these instants, reliable connectivity becomes indispensable. Differentiated connectivity lets service providers sense when a moment matters and instantly prioritize performance, ensuring every personal victory, every heartfelt greeting and every fleeting opportunity is delivered seamlessly.
Our research reveals strong demand for differentiated connectivity – 35% of 5G users demonstrate a growing appetite for elevated connectivity that surpasses standard 5G performance.
However, differentiated connectivity is not a luxury. It is a foundational shift in how we think about digital infrastructure. As countries in Sub-Saharan Africa pursue their national digital strategies, the ability to prioritize and guarantee connectivity for services that matter most will be key to unlocking inclusive growth.
It will allow communities to thrive, businesses to scale, and governments to deliver on their mandates.
Moments that matter can happen anywhere – in a hospital, a classroom, a marketplace, or on the road. Our responsibility is to make sure the network is ready when they do.
[1] Ericsson Mobility Report June 2025, p. 34
[2] Ericsson Mobility Report June 2025, p. 34
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