ZTE Corporation, in collaboration with MTN South Africa, recently demonstrated the impressive capabilities of 5G-Advanced (5G-A) technology at an MTN store in V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. The event highlighted the transformative potential of this advanced technology and its innovative applications, such as AI-generated content (AIGC), a robotic dog, and a glasses-free 3D tablet developed by ZTE.
The demonstration featured an impressive achievement of a 9.2 Gbps download speed, underscoring the high performance and potential of 5G-A technology. Key aspects of ZTE’s latest millimeter-wave Active Antenna Unit (AAU), which operated on a 5G Standalone (SA) network architecture with features based on 3GPP Release 18, were showcased. This setup achieved ultra-low latency of 6ms and utilized advanced technological innovations like space division multiplexing and end-to-end network slicing to enhance network efficiency and flexibility.
Among the various applications highlighted, the AIGC platform was particularly notable for its ability to create real-time multimedia content powered by cloud rendering through 5G-A. The robotic dog, equipped with sensors and cameras, demonstrated its capability to perform industrial tasks such as mapping and data collection, which are particularly relevant for sectors like mining and emergency response.
MTN South Africa’s CTO, Rami Farah, emphasized the significant potential of 5G-Advanced technology for providing ultra-high speeds and immersive experiences essential for connecting future digital lifestyles in South Africa. Luca Shen, CEO of ZTE South Africa, echoed this sentiment, stating that the innovation in 5G-Advanced not only enhances connectivity and user experiences but also broadens the scope of application scenarios and business domains, fostering new industries, business models, and ecosystems.
Both companies expressed their commitment to deepening their collaboration to expedite the deployment and commercialization of 5G-A networks throughout South Africa. In addition to their partnership with ZTE, MTN also marked another milestone by partnering with Chinese vendor Huawei to complete the first 5G-Advanced trial in Africa, showcasing their dedication to advancing technology in the region.
The 5.5G trial at MTN’s headquarters in Johannesburg used Huawei’s commercial SingleRAN, ultra-wideband active antenna units, hybrid beamforming technology, flexible dynamic beam management, and innovative carrier aggregation methods. These trials operated using spectrum resources in the millimeter wave and C-band, acquired through a trial license in 5G SA mode, further underscoring the comprehensive effort towards 5G advancement.
ZTE and MTN South Africa’s strategic partnership showcased the potential of 5G-Advanced technology, promising transformative applications and significant advancements in connectivity and digital experiences. Along with MTN’s collaboration with Huawei, these efforts demonstrated their commitment to leading the deployment and commercialization of next-generation network technologies in South Africa, promising enhanced digital lifestyles and new business opportunities. The milestones achieved in their journey toward advanced 5G networks illustrated their shared vision and determination.
