Report Overview

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

1. Research Framework
   1. Research Objective
   2. Product Overview
   3. Market Segmentation
2. Executive Summary
3. South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market Insights
   1. Industry Value Chain Analysis
   2. DROC Analysis
      1. Growth Drivers
         1. Increasing Operator Investments & Strategic Partnerships
         2. Growing Demand from Mining, Ports, and Industrial Sectors
         3. Rising Popularity of Fixed Wireless Access
      2. Restraints
         1. High Capital Expenditure Requirements
         2. Surging Power Supply
      3. Opportunities
         1. Soaring Potential for Private Networks in Enterprise & Industrial Applications
         2. Growing Adoption of Native 5G Services like VoNR
      4. Challenges
         1. Increasing Market Competition and M&A Restrictions
         2. Rising Regulatory & Ownership
   3. Technological Advancements/Recent Developments
   4. Regulatory Framework
   5. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
      1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
      2. Bargaining Power of Buyers
      3. Threat of New Entrants
      4. Threat of Substitutes
      5. Intensity of Rivalry
4. South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market: Marketing Strategies
5. South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market: Pricing Analysis
6. South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market Overview
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2031
      1. By Value (USD Million)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Component
         1. Hardware
         2. Software
         3. Services
      2. By Frequency Band
         1. Low-Band
         2. Mid-Band
         3. High-Band
      3. By End User
         1. Telecom Operators
         2. Enterprises
         3. Government & Public Sector
7. Competitive Landscape
   1. List of Key Players and Their End Users
   2. South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market Company Market Share Analysis, 2024
   3. Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating Parameters
   4. Key Strategic Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships)
8. Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market
9. Company Profiles (Company Overview, Financial Matrix, Competitive landscape, Key Personnel, Key Competitors, Contact Address, Strategic Outlook, and SWOT Analysis)
   1. MTN Group Ltd
   2. Vodacom Group Ltd
   3. Telkom SA SOC Ltd
   4. Cell C Ltd
   5. Rain (Pty) Ltd
   6. Huawei
   7. Nokia
   8. Ericsson
   9. ZTE Corporation
   10. NEC XON
   11. Other Prominent Players
10. Key Strategic Recommendations
11. Research Methodology
    1. Qualitative Research
       1. Primary & Secondary Research
    2. Quantitative Research
    3. Market Breakdown & Data Triangulation
       1. Secondary Research
       2. Primary Research
    4. Breakdown of Primary Research Respondents
    5. Assumption & Limitation

*Financial information of non-listed companies will be provided as per availability

**The segmentation and the companies are subjected to modifications based on in-depth secondary for the final deliverable

List of Figures

Figure 1   South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market Segmentation

Figure 2   South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market Value Chain Analysis

Figure 3   Company Market Share Analysis, 2024

Figure 4   South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2031

Figure 5   South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market Share, By Component, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 6   South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market Share, By Frequency Band, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 7   South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market Share, By End User, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

List of Tables

Table 1      South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market Share, By Component, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 2      South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market Share, By Frequency Band, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 3      South Africa Standalone 5G Network Market Share, By End User, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 4      MTN Group Ltd Company Overview

Table 5      MTN Group Ltd Financial Overview

Table 6      Vodacom Group Ltd Company Overview

Table 7      Vodacom Group Ltd Financial Overview

Table 8      Telkom SA SOC Ltd Company Overview

Table 9      Telkom SA SOC Ltd Financial Overview

Table 10    Cell C Ltd Company Overview

Table 11    Cell C Ltd Financial Overview

Table 12    Rain (Pty) Ltd Company Overview

Table 13    Rain (Pty) Ltd Financial Overview

Table 14    Huawei Company Overview

Table 15    Huawei Financial Overview

Table 16    Nokia Company Overview

Table 17    Nokia Financial Overview

Table 18    Ericsson Company Overview

Table 19    Ericsson Financial Overview

Table 20    ZTE Corporation Company Overview

Table 21    ZTE Corporation Financial Overview

Table 22    NEC XON Company Overview

Table 23    NEC XON Financial Overview