5G signs on to Africa WiFi expansion

DAKAR, Senegal, May 24 (UPI) -- California wireless developer 5G Wireless has joined up with NEXT SA of Senegal to expand its market for government and ISP WiFi services in Africa.

5G said Wednesday that the Authorized Channel Partner agreement would launch an effort to provide turnkey WiFi systems in Senegal as well as Egypt, Congo, Gambia and Kenya.

"Several countries in Africa and Middle East rely on less than two lines per 100 households to complete the Internet infrastructure," NEXT SA Chief Executive Officer Mouhamet Diop said in a news release. "Bringing WiFi to these nations will be the ultimate business solution."

Los Angeles-based 5G uses a system similar to cellular telephones to carry WiFi signals. The networks use cell-style rooftop base stations to outline the non-line-of-sight capabilities with smaller cells scattered around the area to fill in dead spots or boost capacity for heavy users.