SMW2020: Despite challenges, Nigeria will not relent in preparing for 5G

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that Nigeria will continue to press on and prepare for the eventual commercial launch of fifth generation (5G) networks; in order to give us competitive advantage and help us match up with other developed countries in terms of digitalisation and use of future technologies for a better economy.

 

The telecoms regulator, during its session on ‘5G deployment in Nigeria: The social economic benefits and challenges’ at the ongoing Social Media Week in Lagos said that although Nigeria is burdened with challenges, 5G capabilities are endless and the country cannot afford to miss out on future technologies like driverless cars, remote surgery, IoT, etc., that the ultra low latency of 5G will allow.

 

“The issue of inconsistent power supply and inadequate fibre infrastructure will definitely be a challenge, however, we are working to solve issues that we can to make sure Nigeria doesn’t lag behind other countries, hence the reason why we have already test launched 5G non commercially,” Wakil Bako, director, technical standards and network integrity, NCC, said.

 

Bako said that last year, six spectrums were identified for 5G, so we have enough frequency but non of these are readily available as they have to be freed uo for 5G use. “We have to do a re-planning of those spectrum frequencies,” he said.

 

Also speaking on the panel on Thursday, Keneth Uzoekwe, assistant director, spectrum administration department, NCC, who represented Augustine Nwaulune, the director, said it is important for Nigeria to face these challenges head on right now to enjoy the future benefits of 5G.

 

NCC said that something urgent needs to be done to fix the power sector, otherwise 5G commercialisation in Nigeria is threatened.

 

Bako said 5G which is also known as IMT 2020 has been designed to improve broadband speed and responses and it will definitely change ICT businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, e-learning, e-health, create smarter cities and disrupt the transport system as well as other important economic sectors.

 

“While NCC can and will address the fibre infrastructure gap, power generation and distribution is not within our purview, but we are working with the relevant agencies to see what can be done,” he said.

 

Omoniyi Obietan, head of online media, NCC, who moderated the panel said that with the issue of power resolved, about 40 percent to 60 percent of telco capex going to diesel and running costs of BTS sites will be eliminated and 5G will run to its full capacity for all to enjoy.

 

On possible radiation emanating from 5G deployment and its harmful effects to humans, Bako dismissed the claims. He explained that the radiation from the mobile devices are non iodised and are not harmful to the populace.

 

Mitigating the gap to be created by inadequate power, Bako said that although solar technology and alternative power supply can be deployed to cell sites relatively, security of these equipment also have to be considered.

 

“Issues of theft and vandalism have to be considered, so we also have security challenges. The commission is working to make sure that the ninth assembly passes the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) bill so that vandals and infrastructure thieves can be criminalised,” he said.

 

Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson