TheNewsGuru

Tag: 5G

  • 5G deployment: No cause for alarm – NCC boss assures Nigerians

    5G deployment: No cause for alarm – NCC boss assures Nigerians

    …says WHO, ITU confirm it has no health adverse effects on humans

    Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta has assured Nigerians that the fifth generation network (5G) is perfectly safe and that it has no effect on humans.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Prof. Danbatta gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja when he appeared before a joint session of both House and Senate committees on Communication for the defence of the 2022 budget proposal of the NCC.

    Danbatta, who also reported on the performance of the 2021 budget of the Commission, said the NCC tried to sensitise the public and make them embrace 5G technology because it is good for the economy of the country.

    He explained that the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) have confirmed that the deployment of the 5G network leaves no adverse health effects on humans.

    TNG reports 5G is the next generation of mobile internet connection and it will enable internet browsing and data download at a faster rate compared to what is presently obtainable.

    Earlier at the meeting, Prof. Danbatta advised that the cost of spectrum should come down to make it affordable for Nigerians.

    The NCC helmsman explained that with the use of radio spectrum, many more devices will be allowed access to the internet at the same time.

    In his response to further questions on cybercrime, the NCC boss stressed that telecommunication operators are secure from any cyber attacks. He said efforts were going to be intensified to enable good patronage by Nigerians.

    Chairman and co-chairman of the joint session, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu and Hon. Akeem Adeyemi on behalf of the committee commended NCC for its procurement estimates in the 2022 budget.

    The committee urged the Commission to ensure proper supervision of its intervention projects especially in Ebonyi State.

    It further advised that contractors of these intervention projects should not be paid until work is completed.

  • NCC to auction 5G spectrum in December

    NCC to auction 5G spectrum in December

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially declared that the auction of the 3.5 Gigahertz (3.5 GHz) spectrum for the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) technology in Nigeria, will take place on December 13, 2021.

    According to the Information Memorandum (IM) presented by the Commission at a stakeholder engagement forum organised on 5G spectrum in Lagos recently, NCC is adopting Ascending Clock Auction format, which is software-based while a mock auction has been slated for December 10, 2021, as a precursor to the actual auction on December 13, 2021.

    The IM provides information, conditions, obligations, financial implication, timelines and other necessary details on the planned 3.5Ghz spectrum auction.

    The IM also explains the rollout obligations of the would-be eventual winners of the spectrum licence auction, whose reserved price has been pegged at $197.4 million (N75 billion).

    The IM also states that only licensees, who make down payment of 10 per cent of the reserved bid price and with 100 per cent regulatory compliance would be allowed to participate in the auction while licensees with outstanding debts that have secured NCC’s approval for a payment plan will be allowed to participate in the auction.

    According to the IM, the auction comes with a 10-year spectrum licence and a minimum requirement of an operational Universal Access Service Licence (UASL). However, new entrants or licensees without a UASL will be required to obtain a UASL operational license to be qualified for the 5G licence.

    The eventual licensees will have a rollout obligation plan spanning a period of 10 years, beginning from the date of award of the licence. Between the first and second year of the licence, the operators are expected to rollout service in, at least, one state in each geo-political zone.

    From the third to fifth year, they are obligated to cover all the zones. Between six to 10 years, they should cover all the states in the country, according to guidelines set out in the IM.

    Speaking at the forum, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, said the Ministry has been working closely with the Commission to ensure that necessary spectrum resources needed for the deployment of 5G network in Nigeria to accelerate the nation’s digital economy space is made available.

    Represented by a Director in the Ministry, who is concurrently the Secretary, National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), Abubakar Ladan, the Minister said the 3.5GHz is the most popular spectrum band used globally by regulators and operators for the deployment of 5G technology, and it seems the only band available in Nigeria for immediate use by operators.

    In his address, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, listed the various steps diligently taken by the Commission that culminated in present status of the 5G deployment plan. He also reeled out data to justify how profitable investment in 5G deployment will be for potential operators and investors in the country.

    According to him, “Nigeria has an estimated population of 214 million, with an average growth rate of 2.6% annually. Approximately 76.46 per cent of the population is under the age of 35. In line with these demographic changes, internet penetration grew from 3 per cent in 2004 to 73.82 per cent as at September, 2021, and broadband penetration increased from less than 10 per cent in 2015 to 40.01 per cent in September, 2021.”

    He said while the global impact of Fourth Generation (4G) technology brought about increase in mobile usage and network performance, 5G technology will leverage on this momentum, bringing substantial network improvements, including higher connection speed, mobility and capacity, as well as low-latency capabilities.

    The Forum was well attended by industry stakeholders, including operators, industry associations and groups, advocacy bodies, and the media.

    The Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), among others, called on the government to continue to make the operating environment more conducive for the existing and prospective licensees in the telecom ecosystem, in order to enable Nugeria to fully harness and harvest the derivable benefits of mobile technology in the country.

    The stakeholder engagement forum was organized in keeping with the provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 and NCC’s tradition of consultative regulatory practice.

  • On 5G the world will be watching Nigeria, By Okoh Aihe

    On 5G the world will be watching Nigeria, By Okoh Aihe

    By Okoh Aihe

     

    The process of licensing 5G technology began in Nigeria last week with the upload of the Information Memorandum (IM) on the website of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), www.ncc.gov.ng. The NCC is the regulator of the telecommunications industry and the law, among other functions, empowers it to license operators to do business in the industry.

     

    Apart from some little specks of contradiction here and there, the 80-page document makes a compelling case for investment in the country’s telecommunications ecosystem. All of a sudden showers of deja vu poured all over me; it’s like the commission has gone in search of pristine ways to rekindle an industry whose embers were going to sleep. By the document the Commission may be trying to demonstrate that it was returning to the primordial purity in licensing which earned it an international name that has largely been sullied by this administration.

     

    Key facts stand out in the document. The Commission is offering 2 Lots of 100 MHz each in the 3.5 GHz band ranging from 3500 – 3600 MHz and 3700 to 3800 MHz for auction. Meaning that no matter the number of bidders that may feature at the auction, only two of them will get the license. And that is quite steep, shrewd and strategic.

     

    The Generic Reserve Price (GR) for one Lot of 100 MHz is valued at One Hundred and Ninety- Seven Million and Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$197,400,000.00) or its equivalent in Naira at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rates at the time of the auction. The GR is the minimum price at which a Lot shall be sold. The GR is the takeoff point which clearly illustrates that what the NCC is cooking with the auction is a game of giants where the lily-livered don’t have to step on the pitch at all.

     

    The Spectrum lot won by each Bidder will be assigned on a nationwide basis covering all the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), according to the document. But a little twist or addition here. Where a winner does not hold a Unified Access Service Licence (UASL) which is the Operational Licence for the frequency Spectrum slated for auction, it will be issued at an additional fee of Three Hundred and Seventy-Four Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira only (N374, 600,000.00) or at the subsisting licence fee at the time of the auction. There are already about eight UASL licenses out there. Oh, what a little advantage to be enjoyed by industry pioneer operators!

     

    It reads so well to see Nigeria in summary. “Nigeria has an estimated population of 214 million, with an average growth rate of 2.6% annually. Approximately 76.46% of the population is under the age of 35. In line with these demographic changes, internet penetration grew from 3% in 2004 to 74.2% as at April, 2021 and broadband penetration increased from less than 10% in 2015 to 40.66% in April, 2021.”

     

    There are currently five major mobile licensees in Nigeria; Airtel Networks Limited (Airtel), Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (EMTS) (Trading as 9Mobile), Globacom Limited (Glo), NATCOMS Development Investment Limited, (Trading as Ntel), and MTN Nigeria Communications PLC (MTN). This is in addition to several other service providers offering fixed and wireless broadband services.

     

    In spite of present position, this race starts afresh. Every interested bidder must have its application submitted by November 24, 2021. The application must be submitted with an Intention to Bid (IBD) which is 10 per cent of the Reserved Price. Auction holds on December 13, 2021. It will be an Ascending Clock Auction, meaning the process will continue until only the deep pockets are hanging at the peak of the skyscraper. But having succeeded at the auction, the entire license fee. less 10 per cent Reserve Price, must be paid fully by January 26, 2022.

     

    But let’s re-examine this beautiful story laced with a lot of optimism. Making his Independent Day speech, the President, Muhammadu Bihari, promised to pull a 100million Nigerians out of poverty before the end of his administration, which is less than two years. The fall out from this is that of the remaining population of over 100m, only about 60 per cent may be the addressable market that the regulator is talking about.

     

    That is one bleak spot when looking at the entire picture. The bright side is that the coming of 5G technology can actually contribute immeasurably to rebuilding and re-calibrating the economy, thus actually making it possible for the new technology to explode growth in the economy through youth participation and other citizen mobilisation. Technology may actually provide the magic wand to perform the miracle which President Buhari spoke about. Because, in truth, trying to pull a 100m out of poverty in less than two years is nothing but a miracle; it’s like trying to climb the walls of Burj Khalifa in Dubai without requisite skills.

     

    One other thing that troubles me is the Generic Reserve Price (GR) of One Hundred and Ninety- Seven Million and Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$197,400,000.00). For a country in visible economic trouble for which every Naira and Dollar counts, there shouldn’t be the impression that the focus of the auction is to raise money. Unfortunately that impression is already in the wind, which may lead to some kind of subtle pressure on the bidders to go some more distance irrespective of the economic reality. But I doubt if any magic can happen for the obvious reasons that there is palpable insecurity in the land, and next year is an election year, which could make the economy and socio-politico outlook more tense and unpredictable, a situation that could frighten investors. However, emphasis should be on 5G rollout for development and not cash generation to feed a panting economy.

     

    The 5G auction is one of the last opportunities for this government to prove it can handle a delicate process without throwing sand into it. Having initiated the policy through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the government should stay far away from the auction and allow the NCC to do its job. Hall of fame, for me, is better than hall of infamy. The government can make its choice. But whatever choice, the world will be keeping an eye on Nigeria.

     

  • NCC’s regulatory instruments set to facilitate 5G deployment, tackle insecurity – Danbatta

    NCC’s regulatory instruments set to facilitate 5G deployment, tackle insecurity – Danbatta

    The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has declared that three of the Commission’s regulatory instruments are set to offer enabling provisions that will help the country in tackling security and insurgency; as well as to enhance spectrum availability to facilitate the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) technology.

    The three instruments, which were subjected to a public inquiry on Tuesday physically and virtually, include the Spectrum Trading Guidelines (STG), Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations, and the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Replacement Guidelines.

    Speaking recently at a semi-virtual public inquiry, which on-site operation was conducted at the Commission’s Head Office in Abuja, Danbatta said the three regulatory instruments have been developed to address the challenges of the ever evolving communications industry and to further strengthen the market structure.

    He said the public inquiry was held in line with the Commission’s consultative approach in all its regulatory interventions, as the regulatory instruments being reviewed are vital to ensuring that the regulatory frameworks that pertain to SIM registration and replacement in the communications industry meet the demands of the digital age and also further enhance the flexibility of the spectrum trading regime.

    Yhe first instrument, the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations, provides a regulatory framework for the registration of subscribers of communications services utilising subscription mediums. The second instrument, SIM Replacement Guidelines, provides guidance on the standards and procedure which Network Service Providers (NSPs) are expected to adhere to in the process of conducting a SIM Replacement, swap or upgrade.

    Besides the instruments, two Business Rules that relate to SIM Registration and SIM Replacement, introduced by the Commission to further ensure that the process for SIM activation and Replacement is seamless and align with the national identity management policy.

    The third instrument, the Spectrum Trading Guidelines (STG), seeks to promote certainty and transparency by outlining the detailed procedure and conditions for spectrum trading in the Nigerian communications sector.

    While underscoring that the availability of spectrum frequency is a necessary element in the deployment of the 5G technology in Nigeria, Danbatta said the recent approval of the 5G Deployment Plan by the Federal Government makes the STG review process expedient.

    Danbatta said the public inquiry is a precursor to the Commission’s current drive towards ensuring that frequency spectrum is readily available to licensees through a rapid and effective process. Additionally, the EVC said that “in view of the resolve of the Federal Government to tackle insurgency and insecurity through citizen identity management, it has become necessary to ensure that the provisions of the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations and SIM Replacement Guidelines are in alignment with the National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration and related activities.”

    According to him, the revision of both instruments is geared towards ensuring a more secure and robust process for the registration, activation and replacement of SIMs. “It is, therefore, my expectation that the review will ensure a more robust framework for the registration of subscribers of communication services, improve the standards and procedures for SIM replacements and ensure effective and efficient utilisation of frequency spectrum in Nigeria,” the EVC said.

    Speaking earlier, NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, said the draft of all the regulatory instruments had been published on the Commission’s website and comments from all stakeholders have been received and reviewed. However, he noted that the public inquiry was meant to receive more comments from stakeholders, which would ensure that the final regulatory instruments will enhance development of the industry.

    At the event, which was well attended by senior management staff of the Commission and virtually by other external stakeholders, presentations were made by the Commission on the inputs so far received from licensees and other stakeholders on each of the three regulatory instruments, highlighting issues for further rethink by all stakeholders.

    The stakeholders who participated in the event virtually, were also provided the opportunity to make inputs, contribute freely to the discussions in a very frank and objective manner that elicited thoughtful discussions that will further enrich the quality of the regulatory instruments being developed for the growth of the sector and the national economy.

  • BREAKING: NCC set to auction 5G spectrum slots

    BREAKING: NCC set to auction 5G spectrum slots

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to auction five slots of spectrum for deployment of the Fifth Generation (5G) technology.

    Prof. Umar Danbatta, NCC Executive Vice-Chairman disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday during the public hearing and inquiry on the proposed draft regulations on telephone subscriber registration, Sim replacement and spectrum allocation, 2021.

    Danbatta stated that the commission had put everything in place to auction five slots of 5G spectrum.

    “When I appeared before the Senate on our readiness for 5G deployment, I said we were 95 per cent but right now we are 97 per cent,” he said.

    Mr Adeleke Adewolu, NCC Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, in his welcome address, said that the public hearing and inquiry on the spectrum trading guidelines, sim registration guidelines and telephone users guidelines would help the commission to improve the industry.

    Adewolu appealed to the commission to look into the N200,000 penalty for active unregistered line and review it upward so that it could serve as deterrent.

    “This spectrum trading guidelines, telephone users guidelines and SIM replacement guidelines will help to guarantee growth in the industry,” he said.

    The NCC Director, Legal Services, Mrs Josephine Amuwahe, who gave an overview of Sim registration and activation, said that any network provider that allowed pre-registered Sim without full bio-data would pay N200,000 penalty per Sim.

    Amuwahe, represented by the Director, Telecoms Laws and Regulatory Unit, Legal Services Department, NCC, Mrs Helen Obi, listed some of the new guidelines.

    According to her, the guidelines are, Activation window (grace period where a subscriber enjoyed limited services before full registration), a period has been increased from 30 days to 60 days

    “Foreigners with visas, two or more years, are to register their NIN before acquiring a telephone line but those of less than two years visas are not required to get a NIN.

    “A subscriber is a person that is of 18 years and above. Subscribers are only allowed to register four sim cards per a network provider

    “For the reactivation of a deactivated line, the person will have to go through the process of new activation of a Sim card,” she said.

    Mr Adedoyin Oye, Airtel staff, said the company had over 300 fibre cuts in a month as a result of construction.

    Oye, however, urged the NCC for an improved synergy between the commission, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and construction firms to protect MNOs fibres.

  • Ericson predicts increase in global 5G subscriptions

    Ericson predicts increase in global 5G subscriptions

    Ericsson technology company on Monday forecast 3.5 billion 5G subscriptions and 60 per cent global 5G population coverage by 2026.

    Borje Ekholm, President and CEO, Ericsson, in a statement said that the scale of the technology shift would unleash an entirely new wave of innovation to address some of the planet’s most pressing issues.

    Ekholm said, “For almost 150 years, Ericson technology has transformed nearly every sector of society.

    “The networks we build have already connected billions of people and soon they will connect almost anything and everything.

    “This era of hyper connectivity is going to help to address major global challenges like climate change and digital inclusion.

    “Our new purpose and vision is anchored in the company’s values of respect, professionalism, perseverance and integrity.

    “To capture the emerging opportunities, Ericsson launches its new purpose and vision to create connections that make the unimaginable possible and a world where limitless connectivity improves lives, redefines business and pioneers a sustainable future, “he said.

    The statement said that Stella Medlicott, Head of Group Function Marketing and Corporate Relations, Ericsson, said that connectivity was key to reducing human impact on the planet and would help bridge the digital divide.

    “Ericsson is launching a new look and feel for its brand as well as a series of future scenarios it believes will emerge in an era of hyper connectivity:

    “By connecting every learning establishment and every learner.

    “Future workforces will be increasingly more dependent on digital technologies for life-long learning and upskilling while mobile networks will deliver quality education to every school regardless of location.

    “Entire business models will be transformed by limitless connectivity using real-time data that feeds instantly into design and manufacturing processes.

    “The 5G platform that is currently being rolled out around the world is a fundamental, first step in helping to build this future digital society.”

  • INEC, National Assembly, 5G and an overburdened NCC, By Okoh Aihe

    INEC, National Assembly, 5G and an overburdened NCC, By Okoh Aihe

    By Okoh Aihe

    The country’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken advantage of every little opportunity to spruce up its image lately. One of such moments was the bunkum decision taken by the National Assembly to allow electronic voting in the amended Electoral bill but not allowing transmission of results electronically as the country was not technologically matured for it. The amended bill also now mandates INEC to consult with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) before taking such far-reaching decision.

    Really that was good for INEC because if you recall the last Governorship elections in Osun and Kano States where the processes suffered abracadabra infusion midway, nobody will want to credit INEC even with the minutest respect. But Nigerians love peace and they had to let that pass so that peace could reign although the peace we see is as stable as quicksand. In perpetual motion with little prospect for anchor hold.

    INEC’s pride has been injured and now it has come out smoking, telling Nigerians the story that was always there but subdued for selfish intents, that it has laws insulating it even from the President of the nation. There was such occasion last week when the body, at a press conference pointed, the attention of the media to Section 160 of the constitution, which says:

    “Subject to subsection (2) of the section, any of the bodies may, with the approval of the President, by rules or otherwise regulate Its own procedure or confer powers and impose duties on any officer or authority for the purpose of discharging its functions provided that in the case of the Independent National Electoral Commission, its powers to make its own rule or otherwise regulate its own procedure shall not be subject to the approval or control of the President.”

    The aforementioned has been in existence, for which INEC was in deficit in terms of compliance. It is encouraging that a catharsis has taken place causing INEC to go on image burnishing. The body enjoys my sympathy and support.

    I want to observe that the law makers were not ignorant of this provision, instead, through unnecessary mischief that could be very harmful to the nation on the long run, they voted against a clear emergent need in the polity in these trying times, thus, putting the shenanigans of a party over and above every interest of the people.

    It is not only clear from the foregoing that INEC cannot be subordinated to the whims of the NCC by law but the law makers should be duly informed, even if they already know but pretend to the contrary, that the NCC is already overburdened by a minister sitting astride the Commission and subjecting every of its action and decision to very parochial politics. Why can’t the lawmakers find out what is choking the NCC to near helplessness even when officials of the system pretend that everything is fine while choking to absolute paralysis?

    Dr Isa Ali Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy is a politician whose love for politics, sunshine and media exposure takes precedence over every other interest. Everything must be manipulated to secure advantage including media attention even if it means obfuscating the import of the subject matter.

    For instance, the policy on 5G technology deployment was approved last week by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and so much attention was splashed on the development by the media. The NCC has since completed a trial run of 5G in the country with only one outcome; that it is safe to do 5G in Nigeria and some of the operators can scale up their operations to provide the services, should they be able to pay for the license.

    I am happy that such significant step has been taken for which I reserve a little praise for Pantami but there is too much politics in the process, too much media attention grab. I have spoken to some technocrats to find out if such media spin was necessary. What they tell me is that it should have been managed within the ministry with the tacit tech support of the NCC which will implement the policy. Discretion is a stranger to some of the people in this administration.

    But there are other things that trouble me, the most significant one being that the 5G licensing process should not be subjected to politics. Technology has serious aversion for politics because the latter stifles its advancement, progress and expectations.

    Some decisions have been taken previously for which the nation continues to suffer, unable to reap the benefits of the kind of tech explosion people expected. One of such decisions was the sale of Etisalat which transmuted to 9mobile overnight. The process wasn’t properly interrogated and whoever bought it wasn’t in the right standing to do so at the time, no matter the considerations. Proof. A company with about 23m subscribers under 9mobile has plummeted to 12, 908, 092, which is only 6.89 per cent of the market. A company that was competing for market space has lost it all of a sudden; its failure is putting pressure on the other operators. Politics.

    The coming of Mobile money operations were eagerly anticipated by Nigerians who dreamt of the opportunities to do money transactions without heading for the banks whose operations and efficiency have been impaired by COVID-19. Unfortunately during the licensing which was done by the Central Bank with other bodies like the NCC making ancillary contributions, decisions were taken above capacity and competence. Today there are mobile money operations that remain as infantile as when they started. The sector is unable to generate the job explosion expected.

    Oh, how they hurt. Politics and misdirected patriotism.

    This is why I want to inform that the coming of 5G is major development. This is one reason the National Assembly must remove extraneous weight from the NCC so that the regulator should concentrate on its core functions. But it should also be very interested in the execution of the 5G licensing process so as to stem failure before we induce it.

    The licensing should not be about empowering a part of the country. Nigeria is a nation. This nation shouldn’t be a scorn or a scum because of adventurers who chanced into very vital positions without capacity to understand public expectations from such offices.

    Let there be no mistake about it. At some point there will be punishment for the malfeasance acts of those who deny us the opportunity to smile today, although there are those who are stubbornly convinced that Nigerians don’t get punished for their failures while in office.

    If not properly handled a 5G licensing failure will be one burden this administration will bear forever. I do not expect failure anyway. I pray that those involved in the process will shield their biases and be able to take sound decisions that will make Nigerians happy.

  • Nigeria reaches milestone in race for deployment of 5G networks

    Nigeria reaches milestone in race for deployment of 5G networks

    Nigeria has reached a milestone, joining the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK) and a handful of other countries in the race for the deployment of 5G networks.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this is as the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the highest decision making organ of the country, has approved the National Policy on Fifth Generation (5G) Networks for the nation.

    The 5G Policy was approved at the Council meeting on Wednesday, following a presentation made by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.

    The implementation of the National Policy is with immediate effect, TNG learnt.

    TNG gathers that the National Policy has been developed over a period of 2 years, due to the need for extensive stakeholder engagement and the need to ensure adequate public awareness and sensitization.

    Meanwhile, according to a statement by Dr Femi Adeluyi, Technical Assistant on Information Technology to Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, the stakeholder engagement was thorough and multi-sectoral in nature.

    “It also took into account the report of the 3-month 5G trials that commenced on the 25th of November 2019.

    “The report critically reviewed and studied the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria.

    Leading international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), an organ of the United Nations, have confirmed that the deployment of 5G networks leave no adverse health effect and are safe,” the statement reads.

    TNG reports 5G networks offer significant advantages over current technologies.

    Some of its advantages include much lower latency, higher bandwidth, greater device density, longer battery life for nodes and greater network flexibility.

    Several countries have already commenced the deployment of 5G and are enjoying its benefits.

    These countries include the United States, United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, South Africa and Lesotho, to mention but a few.

    The National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), chaired by Minister Pantami, will soon release spectrum to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) that meet all the required conditions.

    The NCC, as the regulator of the telecommunications sector, will continue engaging stakeholders with a view to developing the regulatory instruments required for the successful deployment of the technology in Nigeria.

  • FG to deploy 5G network soon – Pantami

    FG to deploy 5G network soon – Pantami

    The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy says it will soon deploy the fifth generation (5G) technology standard for broadband cellular networks in Nigeria for increased connectivity.

    The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami disclosed this in Abuja in an interview programme.

    The minister said that the decision to deploy the 5G network followed an outcome of thorough investigations, research and trial absolving it of posing security or health threat.

    According to him, the work on the national policy on 5G stands at 95 per cent done and will be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in due course.

    Pantami, who said that the primary concern of government was to ensure security and welfare of Nigerians in their utilisation of services in the telecommunications sector, blamed the delay in the deployment of the 5G network on conspiracy theories.

    Recall that there were concerns that COVID-19 was associated with the deployment of the 5G communications network.

    “Our government is a listening one; so we listen to constructive criticisms, respect it and appreciate it and at least we value it.

    “We’d reached advanced stage of 5G, then, an issue came up that 5G was related to COVID-19; many people including the educated ones started circulating it without verification.

    “Naturally, people are a bit scared and sceptical about technology.

    “So we gave enough time to do more consultation, creating awareness in local languages so as to engage our citizens to address all the challenges.

    “We set up a technical team that accommodated security, health and environmental institutions and the public sector so that we can be on the same page.

    “I want to give you the assurance that 5G communication network is in the pipeline,” Pantami said during the interview with NAN.

    He further said that the ministry had started discussions with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) concerning spectrum for commercial purposes.

    “From that spectrum, NCC will give it to mobile operators to start deployment; so, the policy is almost ready.

    “I went to the National Assembly, I defended our presentation and they have accepted and they have also endorsed the deployment of 5G.

    “They have also encouraged us to learn from other countries that have deployed 5G and we have already done that.

    “The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a statement that there is no relationship between 5G network and COVID-19 and that addresses the health issue.

    “Similarly, the International Communications Union (ICU), which is an arm of the UN, also issued another statement debunking any implications from the 5G,” Pantami said.

  • NCC, telecos agree on Frequency Spectrum for 5G deployment

    NCC, telecos agree on Frequency Spectrum for 5G deployment

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and major telecoms companies have agreed on instruments necessary for the deployment of 5G technology in the country.

    The instruments are the Annual Operating Levy Regulations and the Frequency Spectrum (fees and pricing) Regulations.

    The agreement followed a Public Inquiry organised by the NCC on the two key instruments at its headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

    It was attended by Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta and representatives of major telecoms companies such as Airtel Nigeria, MTN Nigeria, Glo Mobile Network, 9Mobile, and other stakeholders.

    While Airtel Nigeria agreed with key issues regarding the instruments, MTN Nigeria pleaded for extension of time frame.

    But Danbatta assured all stakeholders that frequency spectrum would be assigned and managed in a way that ensures fair pricing and efficient deployment of attendant services.

    According to him, the two instruments were not only tailored to meet the challenges of the industry but ensure that all stakeholders are carried along as the country prepares for deployment of 5G technology.

    Danbatta said: “More importantly, this Public Inquiry is precursor to the Commission’s current drive to ensure efficiency in spectrum management and the unveiing of next generation services through varied enablers.

    “It is in that regard that the Commission issued a Spectrum Trading Guidelines in 2018, to ensure frequency spectrum is readily available to licensees through an effective process.

    “Furthermore the Commission has commenced the process for deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) Technology in Nigeria and is driving the provision of such ubiquitous services on making Frequeney Spectrum available to its licensees.

    “The efficacy and reliability of these initiatives will be hinged on proper market valuation of the frequency spectrum and fair assessment of levies.”