Somaliland, got its first (5G) fifth generation network by Telesom, a telecoms brand. Telesom is a privately owned firm that entered the Somaliland market in the early 2000s, but are making waves with this high project, as seen in its unveiling at their headquarters in Hargiesa, Somaliland’s capital.
Among some notable people present were Somaliland’s Vice President Abdirahman Abdilahi Ismail Saylici, Minister of Information, Communication & Technology Ahmed Yousuf Idiris, and Minister of Investment and Industrial Development Abdirisaq Ibrahim Mohamed. Also, the Mayor of Hargeisa, Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge, was seen gracing the event.
From sources in Telesom, the connections set to expand into 12 other towns: Burco, Buuhoodle, Boboma, Bebera, Eritavo, Gabiley, Laascaanood, Sheekh, and Xudun, all in Somali land. Because of this milestone, Somaliland enters the list of East African countries with 5G connections, although they are the first African Low Income economy to do so.
Some measure of concern is to be seen as regards to the price of the 5G connection. However, relative to their mobile data costs which are as low as $0.5, one of the lowest in the continent, there is growing optimism that the costs would be consumer friendly.
