With new network generations emerging faster than ever, MTN Ghana’s CEO, Stephen Blewett, has provided critical insights into the ongoing 5G rollout and its real impact on consumers.

Speaking at the MTN House in Accra on Wednesday, April 2, he addressed key concerns, breaking down the complexities of spectrum allocation and network evolution in a way that puts consumer expectations into perspective.

“People get hung up on the numbers,” he remarked when discussing the move from one generation of mobile networks to another.

“Right now, people are already working on 5.5G, and then 6G will come. It will all come eventually, but the real question is: how much of a difference do consumers actually feel?”

He explained that 5G technology operates within different spectrums of radio frequencies, making it more of an incremental improvement rather than an entirely new experience for everyday users.

“You can run 5G on 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, or even 3500 MHz. Each spectrum carries radio frequencies, and they all do different things,” he noted.

While 5G is often touted as a game-changer, the CEO acknowledged that for most consumers, the difference between 4G and 5G may not be as noticeable as past network upgrades.

“In the early days, when we moved from 2G to EDGE, the difference was massive. But as you move up to higher generations, the improvements become less dramatic for the average consumer,” Mr Blewett explained.

Despite the increasing buzz around 5G, Stephen reassured customers that they do not need to rush into buying 5G-enabled devices immediately.

“The price of 5G devices is still high, and it will take time for them to become affordable. A good 4G experience is still more than enough for most people,” he said.

His comments suggest that while MTN is investing in 5G technology, the company is also focused on ensuring that 4G remains strong and reliable for consumers who may not yet be ready—or willing—to make the jump to 5G.

Spectrum Limitations and the Future of Connectivity

One of the biggest challenges in mobile network evolution is the availability of spectrum.

“Eventually, we will run out of spectrum,” the MTN boss warned, noting that as networks continue to advance, there will be physical limitations on how much frequency space is available for carriers.

While this does not mean that mobile networks will stop evolving, it does indicate that the rate of improvement in user experience may slow down over time.

“The question is, at what point do consumers stop feeling the difference?” he asked.

What This Means for MTN Customers

For MTN users, the message is clear: while 5G is the future, 4G is still more than capable of delivering fast and reliable internet.

Consumers should not feel pressured to upgrade immediately, as 5G adoption will be a gradual process, with affordability and accessibility improving over time.

With Ghana’s telecommunications sector continuously evolving, MTN’s strategy appears to be a balanced one, pushing forward with 5G development while ensuring that existing 4G customers continue to receive a top-tier experience.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of with 5G,” Stephen Blewett assured.

“It has a part to play, but you don’t necessarily need to have a 5G device right now.”