Vodacom Tanzania has unveiled 5G mobile network service.

The company released a statement to the media in which it confirmed its intention to deploy to over 200 sites in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Arusha, Dodoma, Mwanza, Iringa, Kagera, Njombe and Mbeya.

According to the company 5G is meant to deliver numerous benefits including higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, ultra-low latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability and a more uniform user experience to more users.

Vodacom Tanzania also believes that 5G technology is key to unlocking the full capabilities of other emerging technologies like the IOT, virtual reality, augmented reality, robotics, blockchain, AI, drones and machine learning.

5G supports these technologies which have applications in many sectors and will bring major changes and developments.

The company adds that areas that will be impacted positively include manufacturing, energy production, agriculture, healthcare delivery, education, transport and works, and tourism.

Hilda Bujiku, Acting MD, Vodacom Tanzania, said, “We are excited to unveil the latest generation of mobile and internet technology that has brought digital transformation to the world and today it is available here in Tanzania through the Vodacom network. This marks a very important milestone for us as a nation towards technological advancement because, with 5G, the possibilities are endless in terms of speed, connections, and interactive technology. The 5G network will be available to both our retail and enterprise customers empowering them to start exploring new opportunities that 5G provides.”

Nape Nnauye, Minister of Communication and Information Technology, said: “I congratulate Vodacom for paving the way for digital transformation in Tanzania, and the government fully supports this breakthrough through its various sector ministries because we know technology has the power to transform lives and help the country achieve SDG targets in areas such as health, agriculture, energy, logistics and many more. I call on entrepreneurs, businesses, innovators, and ministries to tap into this 5G network and transform this nation. The government pledges its support to you.”

Andrew Lupembe, Vodacom Director of Network said, “The 5G network is readily available to our fixed customers for enterprise and home internet through our 5G routers, while mobile phone users will require “5G capable” devices to make use of the new technology. Once the user has the phone, the system will automatically detect the phone and switch the user to 5G. Customers with 4G SIM cards will not be required to change their SIM cards.”

The company added that during this period, customers with 5G-capable devices can expect speeds of up to 400Mbps, with plans to offer more than 800Mbps speeds in the coming months.

The plan is to reach speeds of 1 Gbps once the 5G spectrum is made fully available.

Amouneu Lopy, Head of Customer Team for Vodacom Tanzania at Nokia, said, “We are proud to have powered Vodacom's network for this successful launch of 5G services in Tanzania. Our comprehensive 5G AirScale portfolio, Subscriber Data Management software, and 5G Gateways for customer homes have enabled ultra-fast and low-latency mobile networks and Fixed Wireless Access services. We will continue supporting Vodacom in its quest for providing pioneering services in Tanzania and helping the country achieve its digital transformation targets.”