Benin: the new telecom operator Celtiis is already preparing for 5G
February 28th 2023
Last October, the telecom operator Celtiis entered the Beninese telecom market, which has been disputed since 2018 between MTN Benin and Moov Africa Benin. To impose itself on this market, the newcomer wants to bet on technological innovations.
The mobile operator Celtiis, a subsidiary of the Beninese Digital Infrastructure Company (SBIN), is preparing to deploy fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology. The company said its telecom network is fully compatible with the technology. A pilot phase should be rolled out over the next few months.
Celtiis’ announcement of its 5G ambitions comes about four months after the company launched its services in the Beninese mobile market where it joined MTN Benin and Moov Africa Benin which have officially evolved into a duopoly since 2018. Elsewhere, the deployment of the pilot phase of 5G is one of the major projects planned by the 2023 agenda of the Ministry of the Digital Economy. A budget of 31 billion CFA francs (49.9 million USD) has been allocated to the ministry for these projects.
The launch of 5G is part of the strategic initiatives planned by the company to quickly establish itself in the national market in a context marked by strong demand for high-speed connectivity. The blazing-fast connectivity speeds that come with 5G should see the telecom operator attract millions of new subscribers.
Once deployed, 5G is expected to accelerate the Beninese government’s digital transformation ambitions. Ultra-broadband should in particular facilitate the use of smart homes and buildings; smart cities; e-learning, e-government, 3D video, telemedicine, virtual reality and augmented reality, streaming, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT)…
However, it should be remembered that the adoption of 5G could be slowed down by the high cost of phones compatible with this new technology.
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