The world’s fastest data communication network has hit the United States of America and other developed countries. Indeed, the 5G as it is known is now available in some selected cities of the US. As if not enough, supportive 5G network infrastructure and devices have also started flooding the US markets. Consequently, 5G phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 5G variant have recently been released and now available in open markets. But where is Nigeria in the scheme of things? Unfortunately, while 5G network in United States have become fully operational, Nigeria is still struggling with 3G. With super fast data speed, 5G has changed the way Americans experience communication – buffer to real-time. However and regrettably, 4G has remained a thing of an option, only available to the rich in Africa.
US Cities Currently on 5G Network
So many authorities have tested and seen the 5G network fully operational in some major cities of the United States. However, it would take you to be in the right city and have the right device to assess 5G. Meanwhile, here are some US cities where 5G ultra fast network is available;
- Chicago
- San Francisco
- Minnesota
- Atlanta
- Denver
- Detroit
- Indianapolis
- Phoenix
- Providence
- Rhode Island
- St. Paul
- Washington DC
- Minneapolis
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- Sacramento
- California
More importantly, US network carriers are promising more city coverage and much more compatible devices by the end of 2019. However, not all network carriers in the United States have become 5G compliant. Let us now look at the US carriers currently on 5G.
United States Network Carriers on 5G
As easy as it might sound, getting on to 5G platform is not really an easy task for telecom operators. Switching to 5G entails overhauling and upgrading of existing infrastructure to accommodate the super-fast data network. However, many network operators in the United States have already embraced 5G with some of them introducing compatible devices. Here are some American network providers currently operating in 5G network;
- Verizon
- AT&T
- Sprint
- T-Mobile
The two network providers in the US – Sprint and T-Mobile are currently working on a merger. However, it is expected that they continue to make good their 5G operational promises in order to avoid fines from regulators and criticisms from the public. These promises are not only in successfully integrating more US cities under their 5G coverage, but also introducing more devices to make their network users enjoy the network. However, much more 5G devices are increasingly flooding the US markets.
Some 5G Network Devices Available
Some of these 5G devices include smart phones, modems, routers, WiFi hotspots, etc. For instance, LG has introduced a smartphone with 5G internet power and so many others. As a way of penetrating deeper into the 5G broadband, new 5G modems are also underway and have already been reported in so many cities in the United States of America..
The 5G speed is super fast. Its prospect are futuristic but now here with us. Consequently, video and live TV streaming and real-time monitoring are some among many uses of 5G internet network. However it may take Nigeria and other African countries many years ahead to embrace the 5G network and stop buffering data endlessly.
Nigerian Market and Available Devices
Major mobile phones and smart devices in the African market including Nigeria are mostly 3G compatible. However, there are few 4G enabled devices, which are very expensive. If you ever own a 4G smart phone in Nigeria, you are considered a big boy. In contrast however, US companies are trying hard to make 5G network and devices affordable to all Americans and every pocket. Indeed, this is why they are succeeding. Why can’t Telecom providers and phone companies operating in Nigeria target low income earners. Hopefully, this would help them penetrate deep markets because most Nigerians are poor.
Even 2G, GPRS and EDGE Still Exist in Africa
It is no gain saying that most rural or remote locations in Nigeria and Africa as a whole are still running on EDGE, 2G and 3G networks respectively. Network operators in Nigeria do not seem to care about quality internet penetration of the country’s entire cyber space. All the want is to maximize economic profit by concentrating network coverage around designated heavily populated clusters and leaving out the rest of the geographic entity. However, this is never what it is in any US city where 5G has become available. Indeed, there is equal and superior coverage of 5G network in US and all its cities. Where then lies the integrity of Nigeria’s network operators?
Consequently, this is not only militating against broadband penetration in Nigeria and Africa, but also negatively affecting their economies. The network backwardness in Nigeria has also retarded the growth of ICT technology and its attendant economy in the country. Do you think the new 5G network and phones in the US could reach Africa and Nigeria in particular?
Africans too deserve the best! If Africa must remain the biggest market for technology products globally, they too deserve to enjoy what the rest of the world are currently enjoying. I bet that any tech company, which may pioneer investment in 5G network service provision in Africa at this early stage would have everything to gain, because anything that steps foot into Africa especially Nigeria sells.
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