MTN South Africa and ZTE Corporation have paired to deliver 5G ultra-range maritime offshore coverage at Mossel Bay and Western Cape in South Africa.

According to ZTE, the move will bolster maritime connectivity, enabling tourism opportunities and providing an economic boost for local fishermen.

ZTE notes that the deployment of the 5G network will push coverage to previously difficult-to-reach maritime areas.

The Chinese vendor notes that the deployment delivers more than 210Mbps throughput at 22km from the shore.

A range of applications have been touted as possible use cases following the deployment of 5G Ultra coverage including real-time vessel tracking, advanced navigation systems, and remote monitoring.

"This project is more than just a technical milestone, it is a meaningful step towards enhancing the digital economy and protecting marine environments. We are excited to see the impact this innovative solution will have on local economies, tourism, and sustainable ocean management in South Africa and beyond," said Bob Zhou, managing director of ZTE South Africa.

The ultra-range maritime coverage has contributed toward MTN's 5G expansion in South Africa.

Following the deployment at Mossel Bay, Charles Molapisi, CEO of MTN South Africa, revealed that the company's 5G service covers 44 percent of South Africa's population, up 19 percent from last year.