By Ndumbe Bell Joseph Gaston in Douala
Reports from a readout posted by the telecommunication giant MTN Cameroon, states that they have acquired the 4G authorization/license. The 4G acquisition comes relatively earlier than the 3G which they say the license was delayed for roughly 15 years before it could be possessed after the 2G.
According to the readout, since they had the license, they have been busy optimising their networks and received frequencies in order to market the fourth generation network.
“You must have a 4G license, optimise your network and have frequencies. Obviously, an operator who does not have a 4G license cannot launch 4G. Likewise, an operator who has not yet received the frequencies cannot yet market 4G. This is not the case for MTN Cameroon. “We obtained our 4G license in March. We have also received the necessary frequencies”, it reads.
MTN then distinguished from one generation to the other. “4G is not a simple evolution of 3G. If 3G is an evolution of 2G, 4G is a distinct technology. You can go directly from 2G to 4G”, MTN says, but regretted why they did not go from 2G to 4G in areas that have not been covered by 3G because it would cost less and would be easier.
The operator cautions that for Cameroonians to enjoy 4G, they would have to be provided with 4G sim cards for those who wish to have entry into this new digital world. They have been doing so to a few, The SUN gathered. New entrants must also seek to have a compatible phone. This, they say, makes 4G unique.
MTN reveals that the MTN Group has already successfully launched 4G in certain African countries such as Uganda, Ivory Coast, Benin and Congo Brazzaville, so they are confident that they can achieve same in Cameroon. The 4G is already operational in only four cities in Cameroon namely Buea, Bamenda, Yaoundé and Douala and expected to expand gradually.
Historically, MTN Cameroon says they are the first to launch a fourth generation network in Cameroon, among others.