AT&T: Commercialising private 5G networks for live events and immersive experiences

5G momentum continues to build in Africa. As of September 2025, 53 operators in 29 markets across the region had launched commercial 5G mobile services, while 25 African operators have launched 5G fixed wireless access commercial services. To capitalise on the promise of 5G, operators require enabling policy environments. This report highlights key policy imperatives to drive the development of 5G in Africa.

From a telecoms perspective, robotics was recognised early on as a key future use case during the planning and rollout of 5G around seven years ago. With 5G-Advanced now commercially deployed in early-adopter countries, it is timely to evaluate 5G’s real-world impact on robotics. We also explore how complementary technologies such as edge computing, IoT and eSIM are shaping the connectivity landscape.

This edition of the Industry Checkpoint series focuses on private networks, highlighting how the market has changed in the last six months and its implications. The report considers four major developments: telecoms operators upping their offerings through managed services; private networks solutions increasingly being tailored for edge AI applications; private 5G's growing role in public safety infrastructure; and the accelerating momentum of private networks in military and defence.