#South Africa #MTN #ZTE Corporation #Western Cape #5-Band RRU

ZTE and MTN Commercially Deploy the World's First 5-Band RRU

On September 4, 2025, ZTE Corporation, a global leader in integrated information and communication technology solutions, alongside MTN Group, one of Africa's premier telecommunications operators, proudly announced a significant milestone in the telecommunications industry. They have successfully commercialized the world’s first 5-band Remote Radio Unit (RRU) in South Africa's Western Cape Province. This innovative technology is set to enhance telecommunications and revolutionize network performance across the continent.

As one of Africa's largest and most advanced telecommunications markets, South Africa boasts a population exceeding 60 million, with MTN providing outstanding LTE coverage to over 97% of this population. The move to implement the 5-band RRU reflects MTN's ongoing commitment to improving connectivity for even the most remote areas in the region.

The increasing demand for multi-band and multi-module services has brought various challenges for network operators, who must navigate issues like power consumption, limited space, and tower loads. The newly launched 5-band RRU tackles these challenges head-on, enhancing overall network performance while also boosting energy efficiency and simplifying deployment processes. This new technology paves the way for quicker and more efficient expansion of next-generation connectivity.

Traditionally, adding new frequency bands at mobile sites requires extensive hardware and additional space and power considerations. However, the 5-band RRU, designed using ZTE's own chipsets, consolidates all of MTN South Africa’s low and mid-bands (FDD) into a single compact unit. This design innovation cuts the required number of RAN Radio Frequency modules on towers by half, reduces equipment weight by 23%, and minimizes wind resistance by 18%. This streamlined approach simplifies site construction, lowers deployment complexity, and maximizes usable space on existing towers.

Moreover, ZTE's state-of-the-art Super-N amplifier technology employs dense arrays of power amplifiers that can be activated on demand. This innovation addresses the traditional efficiency bottleneck associated with Doherty architectures, achieving a remarkable 42.7% reduction in overall site power consumption and a 45.8% improvement in energy efficiency (measured in Wh/GB). This advancement not only supports South Africa in its ambitions to create a green, low-carbon society but also sets a new standard for sustainable development in the industry. It exemplifies the potential of innovative technologies to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.

Rami Farah, Chief Technology Officer of MTN South Africa, expressed, “MTN’s collaboration with ZTE on this revolutionary 5-band RRU deployment effectively addresses multiple challenges faced by operators regarding coverage, capacity, cost, and energy efficiency. It establishes a new, replicable, and highly integrated site solution for Africa and even the global market. This initiative will accelerate the evolution of telecommunication networks toward heightened efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, fueling Africa’s digital economy and elevating telecommunication technologies on the continent.”

Furthermore, Luca Shen, Chief Executive Officer of ZTE South Africa, remarked, “ZTE considers product leadership as its core competitive edge and is dedicated to delivering groundbreaking solutions. Our in-depth partnership with MTN not only produces mutual benefits for both companies but also accelerates the swift upgrade of South Africa’s telecommunication infrastructure, acting as a benchmark for digital transformation across Africa.”

Both ZTE and MTN remain committed to advancing Africa's telecommunications framework by prioritizing energy conservation, reducing emissions, and nurturing the digital economy. Guided by their shared vision of “protecting nature through technology and driving the future through innovation,” the two companies will persist in their collaborations to bridge the digital divide, construct smarter and more sustainable networks, and contribute to economic progress and social advancement across the continent.

This deployment marks a crucial leap forward in propelling Africa's digital transformation and showcases how innovative technology can stimulate economic expansion while promoting sustainable development.