'5G is here, but 4G is still king' – MTN CEO speaks on future of mobile networks

MTN Ghana's CEO, Stephen Blewett, shared insights on the 5G rollout. He spoke at the MTN House in Accra on April 2. His focus was on consumer expectations and spectrum allocation.

Blewett noted that people often fixate on numbers. He mentioned that work is already underway for 5.5G and 6G. However, he emphasized the real question: how much difference do consumers feel?

He explained that 5G operates across various radio frequency spectrums. This makes it an incremental improvement rather than a completely new experience for users.

"You can run 5G on different frequencies like 700 MHz or 2300 MHz," he said. Each spectrum has unique capabilities.

While many view 5G as revolutionary, Blewett acknowledged its subtle differences from 4G. "In earlier upgrades, like from 2G to EDGE, changes were significant," he explained. But improvements become less noticeable with higher generations.

He reassured customers not to rush into buying 5G devices yet. "The price of these devices is still high," he stated. A good experience with 4G remains sufficient for most users.

MTN is investing in 5G but also prioritizing a strong and reliable 4G network for current users.

One major challenge in mobile networks is spectrum availability. Blewett warned that we may eventually run out of spectrum space. This doesn't mean networks will stop evolving but may slow user experience improvements.

He posed a critical question: when will consumers stop noticing differences?

For MTN customers, the message is clear: while 5G represents the future, reliable internet through 4G remains available now. There’s no need to upgrade immediately; adoption will be gradual as affordability improves.

As Ghana's telecommunications sector evolves, MTN aims for balance—advancing with 5G while ensuring excellent service for existing customers.

"There’s nothing to fear about 5G," Blewett assured his audience. "You don’t need a 5G device right now."