Is the Democratic Republic of Congo communicating with 5G base stations

(Ecofin Agency) - Khalil Al Americani, CEO of Vodacom DRC, announced the company is currently conducting 5G tests in the country. In a recent interview with ITWeb Africa, the manager said the trial is being carried out under the supervision of the DRC telecom regulatory authority, ARPTC.

Thanks to its policy of corporate social responsibility, Vodacom Congo gives its subscribers access to solutions that contribute to the social and financial inclusion of the Congolese people. For more than 21 years, Vodacom Congo has been a privileged and constant partner in the economic and social development of the DRC.

Vodacom is majority-owned by Vodafone (65.1% holding), one of the world's largest communications companies by revenue. For almost 22 years, Vodacom Congo has put its technology at the service of the socio-economic development of the DRC, providing a wide range of innovative technological products and services.

These tests aim to ensure the telecom operator's readiness for deploying ultra-high-speed internet in the DRC. Khalil Al Americani, however, recalled that Vodacom's primary operational goal is to continue expanding its 4G coverage across the country and 3G in specific areas.

Vodacom and Orange have joined hands to form, a first of its kind, rural towerco partnership in Africa. Through this partnership, the companies will collaborate to build, own, and operate solar-powered mobile base stations in underserved areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Mobile Internet penetration in the DRC is at 32.3% and Orange and Vodacom's announcement to construct new base stations in the country aligns with the country's new vision for the digital economy as included in the National Digital Plan Horizon 2025 adopted in 2019.