Telecommunications giant MTN and information and communication technology group Ericsson have teamed up to trial a range of fifth-generation (5G) use cases and applications in South Africa.
The parties signed a memorandum of understanding to start trials of use cases and applications during the first quarter of 2018, followed by the eventual deployment of 5G technologies across the country.
The duo would work to identify 5G use cases and applications for the digital transformation of industry verticals such as mining, transportation, agriculture, manufacturing and utilities, said MTN South Africa chief technology and information officer Giovanni Chiarelli.
“In collaboration with Ericsson, we are continuously testing, learning and pushing the boundaries of how 5G can meet the diverse needs of our customers in the future. We are developing 5G technology based on real business needs,” he said.
Ericsson provides end-to-end 5G capabilities in support of MTN South Africa’s growth, 5G and enterprise monetisation ambitions.
MTN will trial a range of 5G use cases and applications in its Test Bed laboratory for proof of concept.
Telecommunications firm Vodacom has, meanwhile, partnered with Nokia to trial Nokia 5G technology in South Africa.