South Africa

Mobile networks and carriers in South Africa use 2 GSM bands, 3 UMTS bands, 4 LTE bands, and 1 5G NR band. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work in South Africa. See the tables below for details.

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South Africa's mobile network has undergone significant development over the years, starting with the introduction of 1G networks by operators such as Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, and Telkom. These early networks provided basic voice calls and gradually evolved to 2G, which offered more advanced communication features. The transition to 3G and 4G networks brought faster data connections and internet access, significantly enhancing the country's digital infrastructure.

In recent years, South Africa has made notable strides in mobile network technology. The country launched Africa's first 5G network in 2020 with Liquid Telecom South Africa, marking a significant milestone in the country's telecommunications history. As of today, 5G coverage has reached around 20% of the population, with operators like MTN and Vodacom leading the way in 5G adoption.

Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly in ensuring equitable access to mobile services across the country. Approximately 70% of Africans still rely on 2G/3G networks, and establishing necessary infrastructure to bridge the gap remains a significant challenge, especially in remote areas where over 50% of the population resides.

The Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies has proposed plans to switch off 2G by June 2024 and 3G by March 2025, with the aim of promoting the adoption of newer technologies and improving overall network efficiency. Additionally, the ministry has published a draft policy document on spectrum trading, sharing, and sub-letting, which includes limitations on spectrum hoarding to ensure more efficient use of available bandwidth.

Overall, South Africa's mobile network development has been marked by rapid progress, with ongoing efforts to improve coverage, speed, and accessibility, while addressing the challenges associated with the transition to newer technologies.

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Carriers

Name	# of frequency bands in use
Cell C	5
MTN Group	5
Rain	3
Telkom	3
Vodacom	5

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Frequencies in use

GSM

Name	Interface
900 MHz (E-GSM)	GSM
1800 MHz (DCS)	GSM

UMTS

Name	Interface
B1 (2100 MHz)	UMTS
B5 (850 MHz)	UMTS
B8 (900 MHz GSM)	UMTS

LTE

Name	Interface
B1 (2100 MHz)	LTE
B3 (1800 MHz +)	LTE
B38 (TD 2600 MHz)	LTE
B40 (TD 2300 MHz)	LTE

5G NR

Name	Interface
N78 (3500 MHz)	5G NR

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