Orange Sierra Leone Launches 1st 5G Trial Technology in Freetown

By Alvin Lansana Kargbo

Orange Sierra Leone, on the 28th of September 2023, held a Tech Night at the Freetown City Council basement during which the first 5G trial was officially launched to prepaid and postpaid mobile users with the aim of giving subscribers access to higher speed, enhanced connectivity and low latency.

The event was graced by eminent personalities including the Chief Minister-Dr. David Monina Sengeh, some Ministers of Government, the Chief of Defence Staff-Lieutenant General P. K. Lavahun, the Honorable Member of Parliament for Constituency 028, Director General of NaTCA- Amara Brewah, CEO of Sonatel-Sekou Drame, CEO of Orange SL- Sekou Amadou Bah, Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corp and other distinguished guests.

During the introduction of the programme, the audience was intimated that in terms of leading the new digital development, Orange Sierra Leone will pilot its 5G trial service only in the Freetown Central Business District in a move which is part of an extension of the company’s technological expansion drive to enable subscribers to explore the new service.

It was further affirmed that the 5G trial service is designed to ensure best value in speed, capacity and innovation to cater to all users and their diverse needs in the process of experiencing the new technology and its potential.

In his statement, CEO of Sonatel, Sekou Drame, maintained that he is very pleased to be present at the launch of Orange Sierra Leone’s 5G Pilot cutting edge technology. He furthered that the 5G pilot launch aims to follow the footprints of other affiliates such as Botswana and Jordan in Africa and the Middle East, respectively, to be followed by the launch of the 5G technology in the near future in order to enable a massive investment in infrastructure and accordingly accelerate digital transformation that will in future foster use in diverse industries such as entertainment, health, manufacturing, education and transportation.

He continued by stating that Orange, a major digital player in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, is today the leader in fiber deployment in Europe with 46 million FTTH connections deployed by the Group at the end of 2022, representing almost a third of connections on the continent. Sekou Drame also pointed out that the excellence of their networks, following significant investments in infrastructure, will enable Orange to strengthen its leadership in terms of customer experience and digitalization.

The CEO of SONATEL also assured that in Africa, Orange will continue to deploy fixed and mobile networks to enable solid growth in its results and to support the continent’s economic and social development.

He added that the launch is indeed a major milestone for Sierra Leone saying he is delighted that Orange Sierra Leone is providing leadership in setting the technology standard baseline for 5G by rolling out the cutting-edge pilot stage on their network in line with a corporate vision of becoming the first in class mobile internet service provider in Sierra Leone.

Sekou Drame said as the Government commits to implement the five big game changers, the new technological milestone for Orange Sierra Leone is in alignment with the Government’s vision to drive investment in technology, infrastructure and digitalization.

“I want to express a firm commitment of the Orange Sonatel Group that we will continue to modernize its fixed and mobile networks moving to very high speed broadband, with the aim to continue investing in infrastructure through technology to capitalize on high performing networks,” he committed also using the opportunity to thank the Government of Sierra Leone, especially the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Technology and the National Communications Authority for establishing the  regulatory environment for mobile network operators to invest in digitalization and emerging technology for the benefit of their consumers.

On his part, the CEO of Orange Sierra Leone, Sekou Amadou Bah, reiterated that the launch is a major milestone for Orange Sierra Leone in leading a new digital development.

He continued that introducing 5G trial holds immense importance as it can build the pathway to catalyze rapid technological advancement and economic development that will enable the Internet to reach its full potential.

Sekou Amadou Bah said undoubtedly, 5G technology has the potential to enhance communication and enable transformative digital services that will positively impact various sectors like education, health, manufacturing and commercial agriculture.

He maintained that their 5G trial services will provide faster and more reliable connectivity adding that they have been at the forefront of connecting 7 million plus people in Sierra Leone to 3G, 4G, 4G+ and now they are accelerating their technological evolution through the launch of 5G trial technology and Fiber to Home Internet Offer to improve productivity and connectivity through fast and efficient internet.

According to him, Fiber to the home internet offer will provide individuals and businesses with high-Speed broad band experience at affordable prices for improved browsing and online experience; better performance of Multimedia apps; Enhanced Voice and HD Video Calls.

He disclosed that their ambition is to ultimately add value to their vision of digital inclusion in Sierra Leone by democratizing mobile broadband and make it affordable to all.

Sekou Amadou Bah said Orange has positioned itself in the last seven years as a reliable, capable and willing investor with a strong ambition to increase mobile and internet penetration across the country.

He extended profound gratitude to the Government for providing the conducive environment for businesses to thrive, also commending the recognizable effort of the Ministry of Communication for driving the digital transformation agenda of the private sector and to the focal regulator, the National Communication Authority for pioneering the 5G trial launch and for pledging support to mobile network operators.

The Orange SL CEO ended up assuring that 5G brings the dawn of a new era to the country with a new world of possibilities urging all to build it together.

Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, the Chief Minister, challenged all to use technology to drive equity adding that together or in line with Innovation equity must be worked towards instead of widening inequality stressing how that is the promise of the Government.

It must be noted that the announcement of the official pilot launch came after Orange Sierra Leone completed the necessary infrastructure to provide 5G trail service through its network at the approved locations specified in the trial license granted by the Regulatory Authority.

During the first stage, Orange Sierra Leone will test few use case scenarios for 5G expansion to increase speed on fixed wireless access and mobile broadband.