MTN South Africa has recorded peak download speeds of 10.35Gbps in a 5G-Advanced trial using the Upper 6GHz band, the operator said, marking what it describes as Africa’s first test of this technology and spectrum combination. The trial took place at MTN’s Randburg headquarters under a temporary radio licence issued by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
5G-Advanced trial setup and result
The trial combined a 5G Standalone core network with ultra-wideband active antennas and advanced beamforming, operating on a 400MHz channel in the Upper 6GHz band. MTN reported a peak download throughput of 10.35Gbps (10,350Mbps). The result demonstrates the throughput that wider spectrum channels and advanced radio equipment can deliver under controlled conditions.
The operator noted that the figure is a peak speed observed in the trial environment and that consumer experiences will vary depending on devices, signal conditions, distance from sites and the number of users sharing network resources. The trial therefore illustrates technical potential rather than a guaranteed speed for subscribers on MTN’s commercial network.
Why Upper 6GHz matters
Upper 6GHz generally refers to the 6.425GHz–7.125GHz range, which offers extra spectrum that operators could use to support higher-capacity mobile services. A 400MHz channel, such as the one used in MTN’s test, occupies a substantial portion of that range and allows a radio system to carry more data than a narrower channel under comparable conditions.
The band’s higher frequencies can bring trade-offs: signals typically suffer greater propagation losses and penetrate buildings less effectively than lower-frequency bands. Delivering consistent coverage with Upper 6GHz will therefore require careful network design, site placement and sufficient supporting infrastructure, particularly for indoor and dense urban environments.
Fixed wireless potential and commercial questions
MTN identified fixed wireless access as a possible application for additional Upper 6GHz capacity, particularly in communities where running fibre to every home is difficult or costly. MTN already offers AirFibre, a fixed-wireless service that uses dedicated point-to-point wireless links; reporting in September 2026 described AirFibre as an alternative for customers in areas where fibre installation can be difficult, slow or costly.
Beyond fixed access, the band could help locations with concentrated demand—transport hubs, shopping centres, stadiums and campuses—by giving operators more spectrum to manage traffic during busy periods. Whether the technical potential translates into commercial benefit will depend on spectrum allocation, infrastructure investment, compatible devices and deployment economics.
South Africa’s spectrum planning and assignment process remains central to that translation. ICASA provides the regulatory framework for spectrum decisions, but identifying a band for mobile use and assigning specific frequencies to operators are separate steps. MTN’s trial was conducted under a temporary licence, which allowed a demonstration of the technology without implying that the band is already available for unrestricted commercial deployment.
MTN and Huawei have tested high-capacity wireless technologies in South Africa before: in November 2024 the companies reported a 5.5G trial that achieved 8.6Gbps at MTN’s Johannesburg headquarters. Rain has reported using 5G-Advanced features from July 2025, and other trials by equipment suppliers and operators continue to form part of the industry effort to expand network capacity.
MTN South Africa CEO Ferdi Moolman said the trial demonstrated the value of continued innovation in the country’s connectivity sector and would help the operator understand how next-generation spectrum bands could expand capacity and improve customer experiences. For South Africa, the practical question remains how the performance seen in Randburg can be turned into network services businesses and households can use, given the constraints of spectrum access, infrastructure and device availability.
