ZTE Corporation and MTN South Africa have announced the world’s first commercial deployment of a 5-band Remote Radio Unit (RRU) in the Western Cape Province, marking a historic milestone in global telecommunications. The breakthrough strengthens Africa’s position in next-generation network innovation while driving energy efficiency and sustainable growth.
A Milestone for South Africa’s Telecommunications Industry
South Africa, one of Africa’s largest and most advanced telecom markets with over 60 million people, has seen rapid expansion in mobile connectivity. MTN currently provides 97% LTE population coverage, ensuring high-quality communications even in remote areas.
With increasing demand for multi-band and multi-module services, operators face challenges such as power consumption, tower load, and limited space. MTN’s deployment of ZTE’s 5-band RRU directly addresses these challenges by integrating multiple frequency bands into one compact, energy-efficient solution.
Key Features of the 5-Band RRU
The newly deployed 5-band RRU is powered by ZTE’s in-house design chipset and integrates all MTN South Africa’s low and mid FDD bands into a single unit. The benefits include:
Additionally, ZTE’s Super-N amplifier architecture boosts efficiency by activating dense arrays of power amplifiers only when needed. This results in:
- 42.7% reduction in site power consumption
- 45.8% improvement in energy efficiency (Wh/GB)
This innovation sets a new benchmark for sustainable telecom solutions, supporting South Africa’s transition toward a low-carbon, green economy.
Driving Digital Transformation in Africa
According to Rami Farah, CTO of MTN South Africa, the deployment tackles core industry challenges—coverage, capacity, cost, and energy efficiency—while accelerating network upgrades.
Luca Shen, CEO of ZTE South Africa, emphasized that this collaboration establishes a benchmark for Africa’s digital transformation, delivering mutual benefits for both partners and setting the pace for future innovation.
MTN and ZTE’s Commitment to Sustainability
Beyond network upgrades, MTN and ZTE are committed to energy conservation, emission reduction, and digital inclusion. Their shared vision of “protecting nature through technology and driving the future through innovation” aims to build smarter, sustainable networks across Africa.
The 5-band RRU deployment not only strengthens Africa’s digital economy but also demonstrates how innovation can balance economic growth and environmental sustainability.
What This Means for Africa’s Telecom Industry
- A replicable, scalable solution for operators across Africa and globally
- Improved network performance and customer experience
- Reduced operational costs and carbon footprint
- Strong momentum for Africa’s digital transformation journey
