Across Africa, the buzz around 5G is hard to ignore. MTN, a telecom giant, is pushing the next generation of mobile networks with promises of blazing speeds and futuristic possibilities. But before you rush to upgrade, there are some real reasons to pause and think twice. Let’s break it down.
The Cost Factor Hits Hard
Getting on the 5G train isn’t cheap. MTN’s 5G rollout requires not just new plans but often new devices too. In Nigeria, for instance, an MTN 5G router costs around N50,000, and that’s before you factor in data bundles that can climb into thousands of naira monthly.
For many Africans, where average earnings hover around $100 a month (as noted by telecoms.com), this is a hefty chunk of income. Sure, MTN Nigeria boasts speeds up to 95.62 Mbps (urbangeekz.com), but is that worth it when 4G still gets the job done for most?
Coverage Is a Patchwork Puzzle
MTN is making strides—over 2,100 5G sites in Nigeria alone and trials popping up from South Africa to Benin. Yet, the reality is uneven. In South Africa, 5G is live in cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town, but rural areas are still stuck on 4G or less. Nigeria’s 13-city coverage13-city coverage sounds impressive until you realize it’s a drop in the bucket for a country of over 200 million.
Posts on X echo this frustration, with users complaining about spotty service even in urban zones. Why invest in something that might not reach your doorstep?
Device Compatibility Blues
Here’s a kicker: your current phone probably won’t cut it. Only 5G-enabled devices can tap into MTN’s network, and those don’t come cheap. In markets like Uganda, MTN is pushing affordable smart-feature phones (telecoms.com), but they’re still out of reach for many.
MTN Nigeria’s CTO pointed out Businessday News, they’re not ditching 3G or 4G anytime soon because millions still rely on older tech. So, you’re stuck buying a new gadget—or a router—while your trusty 4G phone sits there, perfectly functional.
Power Struggles Drag It Down
Africa’s power grid is unreliable, and 5G gear isn’t forgiving. A user on X slammed MTN’s 5G WiFi device in Nigeria for lacking a battery backup—a fatal flaw when outages are routine. Without steady electricity, that shiny 5G connection is just an expensive paperweight.
MTN’s betting big with $2 billion yearly on network upgrades, but they can’t fix the continent’s power woes. Until that changes, 5G’s promise feels shaky.
The Hype Outpaces the Need
5G shines for high-end uses—think holographic calls or remote surgery. But let’s be real: most of us are streaming Netflix or scrolling X, and 4G handles that fine. GSMA warns that lagging 5G adoption could widen Africa’s digital divide (ecofinagency.com), yet penetration is still below 2% in sub-Saharan Africa (thecondia.com).
MTN’s 2.6 million 5G users in Nigeria sound big, but that’s peanuts next to 154.9 million total mobile subscribers. For now, the tech feels more like a luxury than a must-have.
MTN’s 5G push is bold, no doubt. From South Africa’s 5.5G trials (techpoint.africa) to Benin’s upcoming rollout, they’re laying groundwork for the future. But high costs, patchy coverage, device hurdles, and power issues make it a tough sell today.
If you’re in an MTN 5G zone with cash to spare, maybe it’s worth a shot. For the rest of us, 4G is still the practical champ—reliable, affordable, and everywhere. Hold off for now; let the dust settle.