MTN South Africa has reported achieving a peak download speed exceeding 10 Gbps, specifically 10.35 Gbps, as part of testing the 5G-Advanced technology in the upper 6 GHz band. This spectrum was allocated by South Africa for mobile networks but had not yet been assigned to any operator.
The operator stated on Tuesday that the tests were conducted under a temporary radio license issued by the communications regulator Icasa, and that MTN is conducting the first 5G-Advanced test in this band in Africa. The 5G-Advanced technology is an enhancement of the 5G standard and is considered an intermediate step before 6G networks, which are expected closer to the end of the decade.
To conduct the test, MTN used equipment from the supplier Huawei, utilizing 400 MHz of spectrum, an autonomous 5G core network, and beamforming antennas that focus radio signals on individual devices.
Although the 10.35 Gbps figure is a peak result achieved under controlled conditions at a single site, rather than a speed expected by customers, this testing also serves as a public demonstration in favor of the spectrum that mobile operators and Wi-Fi advocates have fought for years.
In July, the National Radio Frequency Plan for 2026, approved by Icasa following endorsement by Minister of Communications Solly Malatsi, designated the entire upper 6 GHz band—700 MHz of mid-band spectrum, from 6.425 GHz to 7.125 GHz—for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), which is the designation for mobile broadband access technologies such as 5G and future 6G.
MTN asserts that this band is 'formally allocated' for mobile services. However, identification as IMT does not imply reservation; according to international radio regulations, it does not exclude other uses of the band, including Wi-Fi, nor does it establish priority. MTN acknowledges that no spectrum in this band has yet been assigned to any operator.
A Victory for Mobile Operators
This decision is a win for mobile operators and the industry association GSMA, which actively lobbied to preserve this band for licensed mobile communication use. Wi-Fi proponents, including the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, insisted that Icasa open this band for unlicensed use. Previously, in 2023, Icasa had already permitted the use of the lower 6 GHz band, from 5.925 GHz to 6.425 GHz, for Wi-Fi.
MTN notes that this band can provide home broadband access comparable to fiber optics through fixed wireless access, as well as increase capacity in high-traffic areas such as stadiums, shopping centers, and transport hubs.