While the growth of 5G private networks in Africa may not so far have been as spectacular as some operators had hoped, such networks are certainly gaining traction in South Africa, as a recent agreement signed by operators MTN and China Telecom and tech giant Huawei seems to indicate.
The three major telecommunications names recently signed an agreement to deploy a state-of-the-art 5G private network for a leading (and so far unnamed) manganese mining company in South Africa’s Northern Cape.
The 5G private network will, we are told, provide ultra-reliable, high-speed connectivity – and lots of it – enabling applications such as personnel surveillance, vehicle tracking and unmanned trucks. This, Huawei says, will not only enhance efficiency but also improve workplace safety.
Beyond operational enhancements, by optimising energy consumption and resource management, the technology aligns with international environmental standards, positioning the mine as a leader in sustainable mining.
As Huawei points out, this initiative also marks a significant milestone in advancing the 5G-to-Business (5GtoB) ecosystem, showcasing a successful collaborative model between three industry leaders.
Huawei has provided an end-to-end 5G private network tailored to meet the unique demands of mining operations; MTN has contributed its infrastructure and expertise in network integration and operations; and China Telecom has leveraged its global expertise in vertical industries, providing advanced system integration and innovative digital solutions.
So does this partnership – a collaboration that will involve Africa’s largest 5G private network in the mining sector – demonstrate the potential of 5G to drive industrial transformation in Africa, as Huawei suggests?
Certainly the promise of smarter, safer and more sustainable mining operations as well as better resource management and addressing of global supply chain demands sounds like a step forward in a key industry.
But it’s not the only target industry on MTN’s list. It was in November last year that we reported that MTN South Africa had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China Telecom Global and Huawei to develop digital infrastructure across MTN’s African footprint.
Building on its strategic partnership with Huawei, MTN is already rapidly expanding its 5G private network business across a growing range of industries, including mining, oil and gas, ports, manufacturing, and education – and, of course, MTN is also extending its 5G presence to more countries in Africa.
