Report Overview

Major telecom operators’ increasing investments and strategic partnerships, a surging demand for 5G network from mining, ports, and industrial sectors, and rising popularity of fixed wireless access are expected to drive South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market during the forecast period between 2025 and 2031.

South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market – Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2031

South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market size was estimated at USD 53.9 million in 2024. During the forecast period between 2025 and 2031, South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 45.7% reaching a value of USD 751.29 million by 2031. Prominent drivers of South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market include the transition to dedicated 5G core infrastructure, enabling ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and greater scalability compared to non-standalone networks, thereby unlocking opportunities across mining, ports, manufacturing, and smart cities. In November 2024, MTN South Africa, in partnership with ZTE, showcased a public 5G-Advanced (5G-A) experience in Cape Town, achieving a record 9.2 Gbps download speed using millimeter-wave technology. The event demonstrated innovative applications such as AI-generated content, a robotic dog for industrial and rescue operations, and the world’s first 5G+AI eyewear-free 3D tablet, illustrating the transformative potential of SA 5G in enhancing immersive experiences, industrial automation, and next-generation connectivity. Continuous operator-vendor collaborations, advanced 3GPP Release 18 features, and rising enterprise adoption are set to accelerate deployment, strengthen South Africa’s digital economy, and pave the way for future communication technologies.

Standalone 5G Network – Overview

A standalone (SA) 5G network is a next-generation mobile communication architecture that operates independently of existing 4G LTE infrastructure. Unlike Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G, which relies on a 4G core, SA 5G is built on a dedicated 5G core network, enabling the full capabilities of 5G technology. It delivers ultra-low latency, higher data speeds, enhanced reliability, and improved network slicing for customized services. SA 5G supports advanced applications, such as smart cities, industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, and immersive AR/VR experiences. By providing greater scalability, flexibility, and efficiency, it lays the foundation for a fully connected digital ecosystem and future communication innovations.

South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market

Growth Drivers

Rising Popularity of Fixed Wireless Access

The adoption of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is gaining momentum in South Africa as a cost-effective and scalable alternative to traditional fiber broadband, particularly in areas where fiber deployment is impractical or prohibitively expensive. Leveraging solar-powered infrastructure, mesh networks, and advanced 3GPP-based technologies, FWA delivers high-speed, low-latency connectivity to households, businesses, and community institutions. Major operators, such as Telkom South Africa, have already launched 5G FWA services, expanding coverage across major provinces. This growing reliance on FWA is bridging last-mile connectivity gaps, supporting applications in education, e-commerce, and telehealth, and driving broader adoption of standalone 5G networks across the country. It, in turn, is boosting the growth of South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market.

Challenges

High Capital Expenditure Requirements

High capital expenditure requirements pose a significant restraint to the growth of South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market. Deploying a standalone 5G infrastructure involves substantial investments in advanced network equipment, fiber backhaul, spectrum acquisition, and base station installations. Additionally, upgrading existing infrastructure to meet 5G standards demands considerable financial resources, which can be challenging for operators, especially in regions with lower population density and slower return on investment. These high upfront costs often delay large-scale rollouts, limiting coverage expansion and adoption. Consequently, the financial burden associated with deploying standalone 5G networks slows market growth and hinders rapid nationwide implementation.

Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market

Escalating geopolitical tensions could significantly impact the growth of South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market by disrupting global supply chains, delaying equipment procurement, and increasing operational costs. Restrictions on trade, sanctions, and strained international relations may limit access to advanced 5G components and technologies from key global suppliers. Such tensions can also deter foreign investments, slowing down infrastructure rollout and innovation. Furthermore, uncertainty in global markets can lead to currency fluctuations, affecting project budgets and import costs. As 5G deployment heavily depends on global collaboration and technology transfer, geopolitical instability poses a substantial challenge to timely and cost-effective network expansion in South Africa.

South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market

Segmental Coverage

South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market – By Component

Based on component, South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market is divided into Hardware, Software, and Services segments. The solutions segment holds the largest share of South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market by component. Solutions consist of 5G radio access networks (RAN), 5G core networks, and supporting infrastructure, such as backhaul, fronthaul, switches, and routers. Growth is fueled by the extensive deployment of 5G RAN and core systems, incorporating numerous microcell and small cell base stations across global markets. The 5G core delivers key advantages—ultra-low latency, faster data speeds, edge computing capabilities, and high reliability—driving adoption among enterprises seeking to enhance operational efficiency and performance through advanced standalone 5G network capabilities.

South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market – By Frequency Band

South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market by frequency band is divided into Low-Band, Mid-Band, and High-Band segments.

South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market – By End User

On the basis of end user, South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market is segmented into Telecom Operators, Enterprises, and Government & Public Sectors. The telecom operators segment accounts for the largest market share of South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market by end user.

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market include MTN Group Ltd, Vodacom Group Ltd, Telkom SA SOC Ltd, Cell C Ltd, Rain (Pty) Ltd, Huawei, Nokia, Ericsson, ZTE Corporation, and NEC XON. To further enhance their market share, these companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches.

Scope of the Report

By Component

• Hardware

• Software

• Services

By Frequency Band

• Low-Band

• Mid-Band

• High-Band

By End User

• Telecom Operators

• Enterprises

• Government & Public Sector