MTN and ZTE Deploy World’s First 5-Band RRU in South Africa

MTN and ZTE Corporation have successfully deployed the world’s first 5-band Remote Radio Unit (RRU) in South Africa’s Western Cape. This milestone strengthens Africa’s telecommunications industry and supports faster, more sustainable network expansion.

What the 5-band RRU achieves

The new unit integrates all MTN South Africa’s low and mid bands into a single compact device. Key benefits include:

• 50% reduction in the number of RAN modules on towers

• 23% decrease in equipment weight

• 18% lower wind resistance

• 42.7% reduction in site power consumption

• 45.8% improvement in energy efficiency (Wh/GB)

These improvements simplify site construction, reduce deployment complexity, and enable greener, low-carbon networks.

Technical innovation

ZTE’s Super-N amplifier architecture replaces traditional Doherty designs, maintaining high efficiency under varying loads. The 5-band RRU also addresses challenges such as limited tower space, heavy equipment, and energy costs, providing operators with a highly integrated, sustainable solution.

Industry and digital impact

Rami Farah, MTN South Africa CTO, highlighted that the deployment:

• Improves coverage and network capacity

• Reduces operational costs

• Accelerates Africa’s digital economy

• Promotes environmentally sustainable telecom solutions

Luca Shen, CEO of ZTE South Africa, emphasized the collaboration sets a benchmark for Africa’s digital transformation while balancing economic and environmental benefits.

Commitment to the future

MTN and ZTE aim to bridge the digital divide, build smarter networks, and contribute to economic growth across Africa. The deployment demonstrates how innovative technology can enhance connectivity while promoting sustainability.

{Source: mybroadband}

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