5G is the newest mobile network in town with the fastest speeds at the moment. The mobile network has already become the talk of town with people wondering when it will be introduced fully in Ghana.
The majority of cellular connectivity is provided by the 4G network at the moment. If you have been itching for 5G to get access to fast uninterrupted internet, then you should read on to find out more.
Getting To Know 5G?
5G is the fifth-generation mobile technology standard for cellular networks. The initial deployment of 5G by telecom companies started in 2019 worldwide.
5G is the successor network technology to 4G, itself the successor to 3G. 5G was developed by 3GPP and it was first introduced in July 2016.
Just like the networks before it, 5G is also a cellular network with small geographical service areas known as cells.
All the wireless 5G devices in a cell are linked to the internet through radio waves, along with telephone lines that pass through a base station and antennae inside the cell.
5G comes with better download speeds with the peak speed being capped at 10 GB per second, when a network is only having one user at a time.
The bandwidth on 5G is also higher, allowing for better internet speeds than that offered on 4G. It can also connect more devices and improve internet quality in crowded areas.
Benefits Of 5G To Ghanaians
There are several benefits that 5G will bring to Ghana once it is fully introduced into the country. Here are some of these benefits below.
Speed
As shown above, 5G is faster than 4G. You can download data as high as 10 GB within a few seconds on 5G.
The average recorded speeds of 5G have been 186 megabits per second. This test was done by T-Mobile in the USA.
Average speeds recorded in South Korea have been around 432 megabits. 5G comes with capacity as well.
The network efficiency has been projected to be 100-fold. Sub-6 which is a mid-band version is a commonly used iteration of the 5G network and it can deliver data between the range of 10 to 100 megabits per second.
Error rate
The new 5G network comes with adaptive modulation and coding schemes for keeping the block error rate low.
Any time the error passes the threshold, a transmitter switches to a lower modulation and coding scheme that is less prone to errors.
This means that speeds can be sacrificed to ensure that users can get a zero error rate during their browsing times.
Range
The range offered by 5G depends on several factors such as frequency, transmit power, and interference.
The mmWave, which is n258 comes with a lower range than the mid-band which is n78. This also has a lower range when compared to the low band, which is n5.
Latency
The air latency offered by 5G is between 8 to 12 ms. This does not include delays caused by HARQ retransmissions as well as handovers and others.
Both retransmission and the backhaul latency to the server are air latency to enable proper comparisons.
According to Verizon, its 5G early deployment had a latency of 30 milliseconds. The latency gets higher during handovers with ranges between 50 to 500 milliseconds.
Increase connectivity
Ghanaians will experience connectivity with the 5G network compared to its predecessors.
This will allow Ghanaians to connect more devices and get access to more data that will help in their line of work.
The 5G network will allow Ghanaians in the business sector to link several devices which will allow them access to real-time data so they can monitor their operations and make better decisions quickly.
Mobile workforce enhancement
With the 5G technology, Ghanaians in the business sector will be able to have an improved workforce which allows their workers the freedom to work remotely around the country without slacking behind.
Due to the faster internet speeds and lower latency offered by 5G, employees can use their mobile devices to access information and interact with their colleagues to share ideas.
Technology advancement
The 5G network will unveil new opportunities for the Ghanaian people in the use of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
They will also be able to utilize the network to improve relations, increase customer engagement, and drive innovation.
Cellular network providers are still carrying out tests to get the actual measurement of the performance 5G offers due to its marketing hype.
When Is 5G Coming To Ghana?
5G will be available in Ghana from September 2024. This was made known by the minister of communications. This means that from September 2024, anyone with a smartphone capable of accessing the 5G cellular network will get access to fast uninterrupted internet right here in Ghana.
And talking about 5G capable phones, below are some of the smartphones you will need to own if you want to experience 5G when it becomes available in Ghana soon.
5G Capable Smartphones In Ghana
If you are looking ahead to experience the 5G network when it is made available in Ghana, you will have to make sure that you are using a smartphone that can utilize the network.
Below are some of the smartphones you will need to access the 5G network in Ghana with ease.
As long as money is not a problem, getting any of the devices below will ensure that you can connect to the 5G network when it becomes fully available in Ghana.
Samsung galaxy S24 and S24 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Ultra are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8. The pricey Samsung devices feature new Galaxy AI features and come with strong battery life and higher performance.
If you want to experience 5G capability in Ghana, the smartphone is the flagship Samsung device you need.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
One of the things that set this device apart from other 5G smartphones out there is the AI features in it.
This device uses the Tensor G3 chipset and comes with translation and screening features. This is another great phone for accessing 5G in Ghana if you can afford it.
Oneplus 12R
You do not need thousands of dollars before you can get to experience 5g in Ghana. The Oneplus 12R costs less than $500 and comes with 5G capability.
It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 generation 2 chipset, making it one of the best-performing machines at an affordable price.
iPhone 15 Plus and Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Max can both be used to access 5G in Ghana. The latest iPhone from Apple, which is its highest-performing smartphone to date, can access 5G.
You can make use of all the iPhone 15 smartphone lineups, including the iPhone 15 Plus, to access 5G in Ghana.
iPhone 13 and 13 Pro max
If you cannot afford the iPhone 15 at the moment, you can go in for now ‘cheaper’ 13 or 13 pro max to access 5G in Ghana.
The iPhone 13 and 13 Pro Max both have 5G capability. Even the Apple iPhone 12 and the 12 Pro Max can be used to access 5G in Ghana.
Where To Purchase The 5G Smartphones
You can get to purchase any of the 5G smartphones above through the following retailers.
- Telefonika Ghana
- Jumia Ghana
- Franko trading
You can also check with the official office of any of the brands mentioned for purchase.
How To Know If Your Device Supports 5G
In case you already own a high-performance device, you can check to see if the device already has support for 5G. Here is how to check for the 5G support on your device.
- Go to the settings of your device
- Scroll down and locate ‘connections’ or ‘network’
- Look for ‘mobile network’ or ‘preferred network type’, depending on the device you are using
- If you see ‘LTE advanced or ‘5G’, it means that your device is capable of accessing the 5G network
Once you see this, you will not have to worry about getting a new device. You can now get 5G on the device you are holding in Ghana.
Conclusion
The 5G technology has a lot of advantages that the Ghanaian people can derive from its use once it is introduced fully into the country.
It will help in increasing productivity among Ghanaian businesses and entertainment. Through the 5G network, Ghanaians will have the ability to make better use of AI-powered solutions and many other technological innovations in growing the economy of the country.
You can also read about 5G myths in Ghana and what we think about them.
