Free-space optics backhaul: a strategic necessity for 5G and 6G rollout within Zimbabwe's emerging telecom environment
Bibliographic entry
Kudzanai, C. Free-space optics backhaul: a strategic necessity for 5G and 6G rollout within Zimbabwe's emerging telecom environment = / C. Kudzanai, M. Simbarashe // Приборостроение-2025 : материалы 18-й Международной научно-технической конференции, 13–15 ноября 2025 года Минск, Республика Беларусь / редкол.: А. И. Свистун (пред.), О. К. Гусев, Р. И. Воробей [и др.]. – Минск : БНТУ, 2025. – С. 422-423.
Abstract
In 2024, Zimbabwe's mobile data traffic grew by 35 %, which put a lot of stress on the backhaul infrastructure [1]. Microwave links have limited capacity, and fibre is expensive in rough terrain. Free-Space Optics (FSO) is a solution that uses light beams to send data at speeds similar to fibre optics. This makes it possible to quickly deploy 5G and 6G in both rural and urban areas. This work suggests using both FSO and millimetre-wave systems together to make sure that the network stays reliable even in bad weather. This will make it easier to expand the network and offload.