Is Rwanda ready for 5G?

Rwanda, a country known for its innovation and commitment to technological advancement, is now gearing up for the next phase in telecommunications - the implementation of 5G network. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Kim Hyung-Joon, Head of KT Global Business Unit, shed light on the partnership between Korea Telecom KT and the Rwandan government to bring 5G to the East African nation. With the successful deployment of 4G network across Rwanda, covering 95% of the population, Korea Telecom KT is confident in their ability to introduce 5G technology in the near future. The collaboration is aimed at not only providing faster data speeds but also offering a wide array of new services to the subscribers. Despite concerns about the readiness of emerging markets for 5G due to infrastructure and affordability issues, Kim Hyung-Joon reassured that Rwanda is well on its way to embracing the new technology. He emphasized that the transition from 4G to 5G does not have to be immediate and can be phased over the next three to four years. One of the key points highlighted in the interview was the accessibility of 4G network in rural areas of Rwanda. Kim Hyung-Joon pointed out that even in the current 4G LTE deployment, the network reaches rural communities, ensuring that the majority of the population can enjoy high-speed internet. This success with 4G sets a positive precedent for the expansion of 5G network to rural areas in the future. When questioned about the return on investment for the 4G deployment in Rwanda, Kim Hyung-Joon mentioned that while revenue has been generated, full recovery is still in progress. However, with more years of operation ahead, Korea Telecom KT expects to see a significant return on their initial investment. Drawing from the experience of deploying 5G technology during the Olympics in Korea, Kim Hyung-Joon expressed enthusiasm about bringing similar innovative services to emerging economies like Rwanda. The high data speed, connectivity, and low latency of 5G network open doors to new services such as CincoView, Interactive Time Slice, and Autonomous Cars. The successful implementation of these services in Korea sets a promising precedent for their introduction in Rwanda. As Rwanda prepares to embark on the 5G revolution, the partnership between Korea Telecom KT and the Rwandan government signals a new era of connectivity and innovation in the country. With a phased approach to implementation and a focus on expanding services to rural areas, Rwanda is poised to lead the way in embracing the transformative power of 5G technology.