Will 4G be a game changer for the country?

Top 10 4G LTE coverage as measured by OpenSignal.com in October, November and December 2018.
ACCORDING to OpenSignal.com, only 29 out of 89 countries have achieved a 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) penetration of 80% and above end of last year.
The highest penetration is India at 98.8% followed by South Korea (97.49%) and Japan (94.49%). At position 29 is Croatia (80.44%).
Surprising to many, Germany is ranked 70 with only a 65.67% 4G LTE penetration! At the bottom of the list is Ukraine (20.94%).
It is reported that there are more than 200 ICT operators in 85 countries investing in 5G networks in some form or another by last March.
As Papua New Guinea embraces the 4G spectrum end of this year with the completion of the Coral Sea fibre-optic networks, what then is 4G (4th Generation) and 4G LTE?
To the layman, 4G is just about a faster digital platform to access the internet and App applications. What is expected to be faster is 5G and research has already started into developing 6G!
LTE is a standard for wireless broadband communication for mobile devices and data terminals that increases capacity and speed using a different radio interface together with core network improvements. In short, 4G LTE is between 4G and 5G with the global mobile industry now focusing on expanding access to LTE signals to more consumers and places.
The concept of 4G mobile networks was defined in 2008, differing 4G and 3G specifications, and 4G was referred to as International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)-Advanced or now universally known as LTE.
ICT infrastructure and smart devices provider Huawei, now arguably the global leader in 5G, has been tasked by the PNG Government to grow the country’s 4G digital spectrum and economy.
Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, founded in 1987, is a Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics manufacturer, headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
Xu … confident of ICT future for PNG
Huawei Technologies (PNG) Pvt Ltd Chief Executive Officer Jacky Xu said Huawei was extremely delighted to partner with the PNG Government to help develop the country’s ICT platform.
“Our entry into PNG is just like any other corporate business. We also recognise our need to contribute to the country via corporate social responsibility, education and training.
“That is why we are the major sponsor of this second edition of NICTA forum and expo. We also supported the maiden forum two years ago,” he added.
Xu said: “We are very confident of the future (for ICT technology) in the country. A drop in the retail price for internet access by the end of this year will augur well for PNG.
“That is what is happening in every country. More people can afford more data, connect to the world, benefit from knowledge and information over the next three years. Businesses too will reap benefits from lower data cost and speedier digital transactions.”

Renagi … Unitech-Huawei partnership to produce world class technocrats
University of Technology (Unitech) Vice-Chancellor Dr Ora Renagi said the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Huawei was to formalise the establishment of the Huawei ICT Academy in Unitech in Lae.
“This partnership will produce world class technocrats for PNG and meet the human capital needs of a digital economy. We understand the importance of having the best ICT infrastructure in the country.
“Huawei is willing to invest in Unitech for training. That’s the type of partnership that we want to see with industries.”
Last November, Huawei donated US$30,000 (K100,000) for scholarships. Excellent ICT students will be identified by Unitech and rewarded.