While fifth-generation (5G) technology is expected to fundamentally change industries, the next-generation technology will not exist without the support of fibre technology, says Vox Telecom CEO Jacques du Toit.

Speaking at a recent Information and Comnmunication Infrastructure conference, in Johannesburg, he explained that 5G and fibre “can and should” coexist.

“There is actually place for both,” he says, highlighting the critical role fibre implementation will play in delivering the user experience and enabling the future trends expected of a successful 5G environment.

“Customer experience will be improved by better small-cell wireless-access points, but, ultimately, the quality and reliability of wireless networks will depend on the fibre network carrying traffic to and from the 5G small cells,” he explains.

Fibre is being used increasingly in metropolitan and access networks instead of copper, with businesses and consumers increasingly linking the fibre connection all the way to their premises.

The 5G technology will need more from a wired network than its predecessors, with 83% of the respondents to a recent survey believing fibre is “very important” in the deployment of 5G.

However, Du Toit notes that 5G will likely not be a replacement for the current fourth-generation (4G) connections for the next several generations, with the abandonment of 4G infrastructure deemed too costly.

Further, 5G networks will require the deployment of new infrastructure, a process that will take years, which means that South Africa is not likely to experience 5G soon.

“Yes, we are seeing the testing [of 5G] and successful pilots, but they are under lab conditions,” he says.

In reality, Du Toit points out, operators will focus on areas of good return-on-investment, business case fundamentals, adequate sales and revenue to roll out infrastructure and its support base.

Private investors would also focus first on high revenue generating business and residential areas, he outlined during his presentation.

This means that the rural regions – the underserved populations that are most in need of the socioeconomic inclusion and upliftment that high-speed Internet infrastructure enables – will, in effect, be left out in the cold.

“Entrenching the digital divide is the cost of developing and deploying infrastructure in rural areas.”

He indicates that 5G will cost five times more than 3G and 4G; however, the technology will assist in mitigating and solving many challenges in terms of delivering superior connectivity speeds and lower latency.

“But, looking just at investment, it will be a challenge,” he says.