Mobile phone dealer says PNG not ready for 5G technology

MINTT general manager Damien Des says the prospect of having 5G (Fifth Generation mobile network system) in PNG is unlikely for at least two years.
“At this stage, I don’t believe there will be a 5G Network in PNG for the next two years at least,” he said.
“We will be looking at 5G phones in Australia around October 2020, so that Mintt will be ready for 5G when it is eventually rolled out in PNG.
“However, I haven’t heard anything about 5G in PNG and it is only rolling out in Australia now.”
Des was responding to questions from The National on whether the company would be rolling out 5G handsets on the PNG market if 5G was to be commercialised in the country. A 5G trial was to be conducted in the country after an agreement was signed between Huawei PNG Ltd and Bmobile on Dec 19 last year.
But this was halted by a directive from Information and Communication Technology Minister Timothy Masiu. Masiu, in a statement on Dec 29, said the Department of Communication and Information Technology would have to administer a thorough research on 5G technology, including its potential health risks.
He said the Kumul Technology Holdings Ltd (KTHL) would be requested to work with the department to provide a comprehensive awareness to key stakeholders and the general public on the 5G technology so that everyone understood its benefits and risks.
A spokesperson for telecommunication service provider bmobile said it would discuss with Masiu further progress of 5G service.
Huawei PNG Ltd have not made a public statement since the since Masiu’s directive to halt the 5G trial.