South African mobile network operator Rain plans to launch mobile 5G services sometime in 2025, six years after it introduced the country to the latest cellular network technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company confirmed the new rollout timeframe in recent feedback to MyBroadband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The development would make Rain the fourth operator to offer mobile 5G on its network, following Vodacom, MTN, and Telkom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rain became the first network in South Africa to offer 5G connectivity when it launched its Premium fixed-5G plan in September 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the months that followed, it rolled out two more affordable fixed-5G plans with speed caps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The products were a major disruptor in uncapped broadband, offering fibre-like speeds and latency for many households without access to fibre-to-the-home connectivity, at similar prices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the only way to access the service is through a router in a fixed location. There is no support for use in smartphones or other moveable products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The launch of Rain mobile 5G has been a long time coming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rain’s biggest shareholder, African Rainbow Capital (ARC), previously said the company would roll out mobile 5G last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In September 2022, ARC co-CEO Johan van Zyl said the company would launch mobile 5G “within a year,” adding that South Africans should expect it in early 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, in March 2023, Rain founder and director Michael Jordaan revealed<\/a> in an interview on PSG Think Big that a nationwide mobile 4G service would be the first focus, with mobile 5G following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jordaan apologised for the information slipping out in a post on X<\/a>, which he later deleted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sure enough, Rain launched its fully-fledged mobile 4G network with support for conventional calling and SMS in May 2023, less than two months after Jordaan spilt the beans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rain’s mobile 5G network will compete not only against the major operators but also several mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), including Afrihost Air Mobile and Melon Mobile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cell C is also currently testing 5G on its virtual radio access network, which operates on Vodacom and MTN’s infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two biggest operators already cover roughly 50% of the population with their mobile 5G connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From its launch in early 2018, Rain quickly garnered a reputation for disruptive cellular products, including uncapped mobile Internet products that no other operators would offer due to concerns over network congestion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rain’s more recent product strategy with its RainOne bundle, which became its sole product for new users in May 2023, has some shortcomings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more than a year, the only way for new customers to access its 4G services was to sign up for a fixed-5G plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That leaves out many potential customers who already have other uncapped broadband for their home. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDisruptive Rain products facing tougher competition <\/h2>\n\n\n\n