Papua New Guinean mobile operator bmobile has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the local unit of Chinese vendor Huawei for the ‘pre-launch’ of a 5G network. According to local press outlet EMTV, under the agreement the two companies aim to undertake a trial phase which will run until mid-2020, with a commercial 5G launch scheduled to follow once this is concluded.
Papua New Guinea’s communications minister Timothy Masiu, who attended the signing ceremony for the MoU, said: ‘From an economic perspective, it is estimated that the introduction of 5G, if rolled out appropriately, will boost domestic mobile technology and services with a potential of contributing an additional 4% to 6% GDP.’