SA's 5G market enters 'dynamic growth phase' – Africa AnalysisSA's 5G market enters 'dynamic growth phase' – Africa Analysis
Over 50% of the South African population has access to 5G networks, according to Africa Analysis, which believes the country has entered "a dynamic growth phase."
The South African 5G market has entered "a dynamic growth phase," with major telecommunications operators, including MTN and Vodacom, leading the expansion of 5G coverage in the country.
Over 50% of the South African population had access to 5G networks by the end of 2024, according to ICT market research and analysis firm Africa Analysis. The company said this was a significant milestone in the sector's development and forecast further 5G network expansions over the next five years.
Africa Analysis' 2025 SA 5G Report shows that South Africa had 10.8 million 5G subscribers at the end of December 2025. These users were a combination of mobile 5G subscribers and fixed wireless access (FWA) 5G users.
Andre Wills, director at Africa Analysis, said this represents a substantial increase in adoption, driven primarily by the increasing affordability of 5G-enabled handsets and expanding network coverage.
By 2029, the report forecasts a significant rise to 42 million 5G subscribers, with population coverage expected to reach 73%.
"The substantial growth observed underscores the industry's resilience and potential for further expansion. With increasing investment and emerging technologies, the 5G ecosystem is poised for even greater transformation," Wills added.
By 2029, Africa Analysis projects there will be 42 million 5G subscribers in South Africa, with 5G population coverage expected to hit 73%. (Source: Image by freepik)
The total revenue generated from 5G services in 2024 reached R28.4 billion (US$1.5 billion), with mobile 5G services contributing 76% and FWA services generating 24%.
Wills said that Vodacom emerged as the largest 5G mobile network operator (MNO) in terms of subscribers and revenue, while Telkom led the FWA segment.
Meanwhile, telecom service provider Comsol positioned itself in the private 5G network space, a segment that Wills said is still in its early stages of development in South Africa.
South Africa's 5G outlook
Looking ahead, the emergence of 5.5G (5G Advanced) and direct-to-consumer (DTC) satellite connectivity is expected to reshape the 5G landscape, the report said.
Africa Analysis projected 5.5G deployments for private networks to grow from 2026 onward, while DTC satellite connectivity for voice and text messaging is expected from 2027 onward.
"The introduction of these advancements will further drive connectivity, industry transformation, and the overall digital economy," Wills added.
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