MTN to use 900 MHz for 3G in SA
Bloomberg today announced that MTN will use some of its 900 megahertz spectrum for 3G services. The lower frequency, MTN typically uses 2100 MHz for its 3G network in South Africa, makes wider coverage possible using less sites.
This announcement follows the launch of Cell C’s 900 MHz UMTS network in Port Elizabeth two weeks ago. Cell C is rolling out a country wide 21 Mbps HSPA+ network in South Africa by re-farming some of its 900 MHz spectrum.
The use of 900 MHz for 3G is however nothing new for MTN. Earlier this year MTN Ghana announced that it had concluded successful trials of the first 900 MHz UMTS network in Africa.
MTN worked with Ericsson on their 900 MHz 3G network in Ghana, and found that the lower frequency means that they can create country-wide mobile broadband coverage far more cost effectively.
Vodacom is also trialing the use of 900 MHz for 3G use but the complexity of re-farming spectrum, which is currently used for voice services in high density areas, means that it is most likely a solution which (as with MTN) will only be used in rural areas.
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