Vodafone Samoa unveiled the soft launch of its 5G network on Monday afternoon at the Taumeasina Island Resort. 

The event drew a notable audience, including government officials, international guests, and Vodafone Samoa’s team, marking a key step in the evolution of the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure. 

Vodafone Samoa’s Chief Executive Officer Rana Bose clarified that the event represented the preliminary phase of their 5G rollout. 

This "soft launch" introduces specific segments of the 5G network, providing a glimpse into the future of connectivity. 

Mr. Bose explained that this launch was not a full-scale commercial introduction instead it served as a prelude to a grander launch scheduled for January next year. 

The soft launch encompasses eleven strategically chosen sites equipped with limited 5G products. These temporary installations are positioned at venues designated for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) next month. 

The 5G sites now live for C.H.O.G.M. includes the Congregational Christian Church Samoa (C.C.C.S.) building in Tamaligi, Faleolo Airport, Government Building, Matafele, Matautu wharf, Mulinu'u, Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, Taumeasina Island Resort, Tuanaimato and Sheraton in Mulifanua (in progress). 

Following the event, the 5G infrastructure will be moved to its permanent locations. 

This phased approach allows residents to experience 5G technology and offer feedback before the network’s official launch.

Vodafone Samoa plans to extend its 5G network to Savai'i after CHOGM, with network segments operational on the island by November. 

Customers are encouraged to purchase 5G routers from Vodafone Samoa to experience the new technology at the designated sites. 

The company has assured that existing 4G plans will remain unchanged, with no new plan structures introduced at this stage. 

The launch of 5G marks a groundbreaking development for Samoa, heralding a new era of digital connectivity with promises of faster speeds, reduced latency, and improved network reliability. 

The introduction of 5G is anticipated to revolutionise various sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, and tourism. 

With its capacity for ultra-fast data transmission and minimal lag, 5G holds the potential to enable advanced innovations such as remote medical procedures, immersive educational experiences, smart city initiatives, and enhanced tourism offerings. 

Vodafone Samoa remains committed to advancing Samoa’s digital infrastructure, emphasising its role in driving technological innovation and economic growth. 

5G, the fifth-generation technology standard for cellular networks, follows the previous 4G technology. 

Since its global deployment began in 2019, 5G has become the new benchmark for cellular connectivity, characterised by its high-speed data transmission and improved network efficiency. 

In 5G networks, service areas are divided into small cells, each connected to the internet and telephone networks through radio waves transmitted by base stations and antennas. This soft launch of Vodafone Samoa’s 5G network signifies a pivotal advancement in the nation's digital capabilities, promising to bring transformative changes and enhanced opportunities across multiple sectors.