South Africa’s New National 5G Network: What It Could Mean for Businesses

South Africa’s connectivity landscape is entering a new phase as telecommunications company Comsol begins rolling out a national wholesale 5G broadband network.

Backed by multibillion-rand funding, the new network is designed primarily to provide high-speed internet access to homes and businesses, particularly in communities where fixed-fibre infrastructure remains unavailable.

For South African organisations, this development could create more choice, increase competition, and open new opportunities to operate more efficiently in an increasingly connected economy.

A Different Approach to 5G Broadband

Unlike conventional mobile networks, Comsol’s new infrastructure has been built with a dedicated 5G core and does not support older technologies such as 3G or 4G.

It will also operate as a wholesale network. This means Comsol will not sell broadband packages directly to consumers. Instead, internet service providers, mobile virtual network operators, banks, retailers and other resellers will use the infrastructure to create and market their own packages.

These providers will determine their own:

• Pricing

• Connection speeds

• Data packages

• Customer support

• Branding

This open-access model could encourage greater competition among service providers, potentially giving customers more options when selecting broadband solutions.

Expanding Beyond Fibre-Covered Areas

Although fibre has transformed connectivity in many South African suburbs and commercial centres, its reach remains limited. According to Comsol CEO Iain Stevenson, only approximately 15% of South African homes are currently connected to fibre.

Installing fibre requires extensive trenching and physical infrastructure, which may not always be commercially viable in less densely populated or historically underserved areas.

Fixed-wireless 5G offers another approach. Instead of running a physical fibre line into every property, customers can connect through nearby base stations using a compatible indoor router.

Comsol says its network already reaches more than one million households in Gauteng. The company aims to establish broad Gauteng coverage before expanding into parts of the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and selected regional towns and cities. Approximately 2,000 base stations are planned nationally.

Importantly, the rollout is expected to include communities such as Diepsloot, Alexandra and Soweto, not only affluent suburbs. TechCentral reports that the first internet service provider is expected to begin using the network in September 2026.

What Could This Mean for South African Businesses?

More widespread access to high-speed broadband could provide several benefits for businesses, particularly those located outside established fibre areas.

• Improved Access to Cloud Services

Modern organisations increasingly depend on cloud-based applications, online backups, Microsoft 365, remote collaboration platforms and hosted business systems.

Faster and more reliable connectivity can make it easier for employees to access these tools, share information and work across different locations.

• Greater Flexibility

Comsol says customers will be able to move their routers between covered areas because connections will not be tied to only one base station.

This may be useful for growing businesses, temporary offices, project sites and distributed teams that need connectivity without waiting for permanent fixed-line infrastructure to be installed.

• Better Support for Data-Intensive Systems

Cloud ERP platforms, remote desktop environments, video conferencing, online reporting and business intelligence applications all require stable connections.

Comsol says its network has a theoretical maximum speed of just under 1Gbit/s, although actual packages and performance will depend on the service provider, network demand, coverage and equipment.

The network is also designed to provide stronger upload capacity than many traditional fixed-wireless services. This could support businesses that regularly upload large files, synchronise cloud backups or exchange data between locations.

• More Connectivity Options

Because multiple providers will be able to sell services over the same infrastructure, businesses may benefit from a broader range of packages and pricing models.

The new network could also provide an alternative or backup connection where organisations cannot rely entirely on fibre or conventional mobile broadband.

Connectivity Is Only One Part of the IT Environment

A faster internet connection can support digital transformation, but it does not automatically create a secure or efficient technology environment.

As connectivity improves, businesses must ensure that their internal infrastructure can handle increased traffic and growing dependence on cloud platforms. This includes reviewing:

• Network architecture and Wi-Fi coverage

• Firewall and access-control policies

• Cloud security configurations

• Backup and disaster-recovery procedures

• Microsoft infrastructure

• Device and user management

• ERP and business-system integration

Organisations should also consider business continuity. Even where 5G becomes available, critical operations may still require redundant connections, secure remote access and a clear recovery plan.

Preparing for a More Connected Future

Comsol’s rollout is still developing, and its success will depend on coverage, network capacity, service-provider participation and the affordability of the packages eventually offered.

Nevertheless, the project represents an important step in South Africa’s connectivity journey. If implemented successfully, it could help extend high-speed broadband into more communities while giving businesses greater flexibility in how they connect their people, systems and locations.

At SDS Technical Services, we help organisations build secure, reliable and scalable IT environments. From Microsoft infrastructure and network support to cloud services, cybersecurity, data protection, and SYSPRO integration, our team helps ensure that improved connectivity translates into measurable business value.

As South Africa's connectivity options continue to expand, now is the time to ensure your infrastructure is ready. Contact SDS Technical Services to assess your environment and prepare for a more connected future.