To increase the existing low penetration rate, Huawei Technologies has urged for a collective adoption of 2.6 GHz as the dedicated spectrum with the most cost-effective 4G Fixed Wireless Access for home internet service.
Currently, only 9.8 million Kenyans (9%) have access to broadband internet, the majority of whom live in metropolitan and semi-urban areas. 38% have dial-up internet, while up to 22 million individuals still do not have access to the internet.
Yao Hongjie, Vice President of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa ICT Solutions, told participants at the recently concluded Annual Africa Spectrum Roundtable in Maputo, Mozambique, that a number of efforts were needed to increase the rate of home internet penetration.
“Among these is the full allocation of the entire Sub-3Ghz spectrum for affordable and universal mobile broadband, with the goal of closing the digital divide and fueling the growth of our digital future.” It also includes full usage of the 2.3GHz and 2.6GHz bands for future mobile broadband enhancements,” he added.
The panel decided that for home internet access to make a significant leap, the country must embrace defragmentation strategies that promote win-win cooperation among internet service providers, regional and large mobile network operators.
Furthermore, the ramp-up necessitates the development of 4G/5G fixed wireless connectivity in order to increase total national broadband penetration rates, as well as tax incentives and rebates, affordability concerns for both devices and services, and digital literacy for rural and underserved areas.
The event gathered together African regulators, operators, and spectrum sector executives to explore significant spectrum opportunities and challenges for encouraging investment and increasing mobile service standards.
Mr. Yang detailed the Sub-3GHz spectrum’s unique potential to fulfill realistic demand in the African region, noting that with the experience of strong demand growth to develop last-mile broadband infrastructure, full use of the Sub-3GHz spectrum will be the best way ahead.
Spectrum is a limited resource, and efficient spectrum use is one of the primary goals of spectrum management. However, there is clear evidence that the volume of data flowing over mobile networks is rapidly increasing, aided by the popularity of smartphones and the increase in music and video downloads. The 2.6 GHz band will allow operators to address rapidly increasing traffic volumes in an efficient and harmonized manner.
The 2.6 GHz spectrum is an excellent complement to the 700 MHz spectrum, often known as the “digital dividend,” and will enable the most cost-effective nationwide coverage of Mobile Broadband in both rural and urban areas.
