TheNewsGuru

Tag: 5G

  • NCC to auction 5G Spectrum by Q4 of 2021 — Danbatta

    NCC to auction 5G Spectrum by Q4 of 2021 — Danbatta

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it will auction the Fifth Generation Technology (5G) spectrum by the Fourth Quarter (Q4) of 2021.

    Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, disclosed this at the maiden International Conference on Information and Engineering Systems (ICIES) on Thursday at Nile University, Abuja.

    The conference is centered on “Multidisciplinary Engineering and Applied Sciences”.

    Danbatta, represented by NCC Director of Technical Standard, Mr Bako Wakil, noted that for the process of the allocation auctioning, assigning and commercialisation of 5G spectrum to be seamless and successful, the Federal Government must provide an enabling environment.

    “The government will provide an enabling environment for 5G deployment, but the MNOs will determine their own deployment strategies, subject to alignment with approved polices and other regulatory instruments in force.

    “Securing spectrum for 5G is an antecedent for any operator to commit serious investment to 5G infrastructure.

    “This makes it imperative for the spectrum allocation and assignment process to be concluded as early as possible.

    “The following timeline is proposed as optimal in the policy document 5G Spectrum Allocation (Q2 2021) 5G Spectrum Auction (Q4 2021) 5G Spectrum Assignment (Q1 2022) and Commercialisation of 5G Spectrum (Q4 2022).

    The EVC, who spoke on the topic “5G Deployment: Catalyst for Digital Transformation in Nigeria”, noted that researches and tests had been carried out on the hazardous impact of electromagnetic emissions from 5G and that they were far below the minimum required standard.

    He, however, expressed optimism that 5G indeed was a catalyst for digital transformation in Nigeria and around the world, as it would digitalise and greatly impact the economy of the country.

    “The plan to deploy 5G technology creates need for study of the electromagnetic radiation levels which will be generated by the 5G infrastructure.

    “These tests were conducted in accordance with the International Commission on Non-lonizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines for general public exposure to time varying electromagnetic fields.

    “The results of the test show that radiation from 5G infrastructure is far below the ICNIRP specification for protection of members of the public and therefore, suggest that no public health hazards are expected from the use of 5G in Nigeria.

    “Scientific evidence from studies carried out by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), all show that exposure to radio frequencies are safe and does not cause or initiate the occurrence of cancers.

    “We are hopeful that the 5G revolution will transform our nation and the economy digitally and become a developmental revolution as well as digital transformation tools, reaching out and bringing benefits to everyone everywhere,” he said.

    Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Nile University, Prof. Osman Aras, explained that the conference would provide an enabling platform for students, researchers and professionals in the industry to share views on current research work for advancement of knowledge, technology and multidisciplinary research.

    Aras said the conference would not have any meaning without reaching end users or put to practical use, otherwise, there would be volumes of knowledge on the shelves and internet without consumers.

    “This will form collaborations for advancement of knowledge, technology and multidisciplinary research.

    “We are in an era which has shaped our lives in such a way that our major concerns are contributions to the well-being of others, presently and in the time to come.

    “The outcomes of this conference will therefore, have no meaning unless they reach the end users or put to practical use. Otherwise, we shall have volumes and volumes of knowledge, some on our shelves and others on the internet without any consumer.

    “Many academicians have become aware of this fact as the number of conferences and participants increase dramatically.”

    Prof. Steve Adeshina of the Nile University, who was also the Chairman of the conference, explained that the conference was a collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences.

    Adeshina said: “The conference is indeed a testament of the cooperation that exists between the two faculties.

    “The ICIES is to provide an enabling platform for students, researchers and professionals in the industry across various fields of engineering and applied sciences to share their current research works, exchange ideas and form collaboration for advancement of knowledge, technology and multidisciplinary research,” he said.

  • 5G will become fastest adopted mobile generation in history

    5G will become fastest adopted mobile generation in history

    Ericsson, a multinational telecommunications company says that 5G will soon become the fastest adopted mobile generation in history.

    Ericsson made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, noting that subscriptions were increasing at a rate of about a million per day.

    According to the report, China, North America and the Gulf Cooperation Council markets are leading the way on subscriber numbers, while Europe is off to a slow start.

    It said that 5G subscriptions with a 5G-capable device grew by 70 million during the first quarter of 2021 and is forecast to reach 580 million by the end of 2021.

    The forecast, which features in the 20th edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report, enhances the expectation that 5G would become the fastest adopted mobile generation.

    It said that about 3.5 billion 5G subscriptions and 60 per cent 5G population coverage, had been estimated by the end of 2026.

    The report, however, said the pace of adoption varies widely by region, adding that Europe was off to a slower start and has continued to fall far behind China, the U.S., Korea, Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets in the pace of 5G deployments.

    According to the report, 5G is expected to surpass a billion subscriptions two years ahead of the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) timeline for the same milestone.

    The report said that key factors behind the growth included China’s earlier commitment to 5G, availability and increasing affordability of commercial 5G devices.

    It said that more than 300 5G smartphone models had already been announced or inaugurated commercially.

    “This commercial 5G momentum is expected to continue in coming years, spurred by the enhanced role of connectivity as a key component of post-COVID-19 economic recovery.

    “North East Asia is expected to account for the largest share of 5G subscriptions by 2026, with an estimated 1.4 billion 5G subscriptions.

    “While North American and GCC markets are expected to account for the highest 5G subscription penetration, with 5G mobile subscriptions comprising 84 per cent and 73 per cent of all regional mobile subscriptions respectively,’’ it said.

    Fredrik Jejdling, the Executive Vice President and Head of Networks, Ericsson said “This landmark twentieth edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report shows that we are in the next phase of 5G.

    “With accelerating roll-outs and coverage expansion in pioneer markets such as China, the U.S. and South Korea.’’

    Jejdling said it was now time for advanced use cases to start materialising and deliver on the promise of 5G.

    He said businesses and societies were also preparing for a post-pandemic world, with 5G-powered digitisation playing a critical role.

    The report also highlights that Smartphones and video driving mobile data traffic continues to grow year-on-year.

    It said one exabyte (EB) comprises 1,000,000,000 (1 billion) gigabytes (GB).

    The report added that global mobile data traffic – excluding traffic generated by fixed wireless access (FWA) – exceeded 49 EB per month at the end of 2020, and was projected to grow by a factor of close to five to reach 237 EB per month in 2026.

    The report said that smartphones, which currently carried 95 per cent of this traffic, were also consuming more data than ever.

     

    It said that globally, the average usage-per-smartphone now exceeded 10 GB per month and was forecast to reach 35 GB per month by the end of 2026.

    According to the report, the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating digitisation and increasing the importance and the need for reliable, high-speed mobile broadband connectivity.

    It said that latest report showed that almost nine out of ten communications service providers (CSPs) that had inaugurated 5G, and had also fixed wireless access (FWA) offering (4G or 5G), even in markets with high fiber penetration.

    According to the report, it is needed to accommodate increasing FWA traffic, which it forecasts to grow by a factor of seven to reach 64 EB in 2026.

  • On 5G, the world will move on without Nigeria, By Okoh Aihe

    On 5G, the world will move on without Nigeria, By Okoh Aihe

     

    By Okoh Aihe

    The Nigerian Senate has no competence on 5G – fifth generation mobile network, that technology with the kind of capacity that can overawe any other technology in terms of speed. That competence resides, first, with the regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), because of enormous capacity built up in-house; and, secondly, with the industry, because of the depth of human capital and resources available to the operators.

    Members of the Senate can also acquire this knowledge. But they will not. That is what their legislative assistants are supposed do, specializing in different endeavors of life. They can actually get consultants to help them on any issue under the sun. But that is not the way we treat knowledge. Instead our Senators would prefer to upgrade the status of their political touts as political assistants, so that during the next elections they can be more equipped to break more bones.

    In between, quite a number are hedonists. Except sheltered in now by COVID-19, they junket round the world in the guise of working for country and they return with little or no knowledge except tales of exploits in a land which others have developed.

    A few years back, some of them were returning from a trip to Malaysia. At a breakfast session in one of the exotic hotels in Dubai, all you could hear from them were tales of personal victories and fun, this collection of sybarites, with no remorse for the people’s money they have wasted. I listened to them that morning; they, totally oblivious of another person sitting not far away from them in their ignoble guffaw, and eventually stole away with anger welling up inside of me.

    It was no surprise to me last week when the Senate countered the NCC to hold back on the roll out of 5G in Nigeria. Later that night, I saw some of their faces on television. All of a sudden, there seems to be a play back of that Dubai episode, their faces flashing by in cinematic flashback; former governors in retirement at the upper house, Senators for life waiting for providence to draw a final curtain, and all kinds of people fraudulently thrown up as leaders of the people, so steeped in hibernation that they can’t set any development agenda for their people who need help most at this time.

    So, the Senate put a lid on 5G on the grounds that they need to do more interrogations on the safety of the technology. The Joint Committee on Science and Technology, ICT, Cyber Crime, and Primary Health responsible for this epochal investigation, is led by Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

    Technology has always harboured its demon of fears, leaving the window open for only the bold to take in the light of breakthrough and success. Mobile technology has had its share of these demons and, only last year, 5G was accused of being responsible for COVID-19! And in Britain (one is not talking of some little islands outside of the continent of Australia) some 5G base stations were burnt by troubled souls who were so convinced of the wickedness of the new technology.

    Knowing the frailties of human emotions and how easy it is to manipulate them with severe untruth, this writer had last year admonished the Committee: “In this journey, there are low hanging opportunities, repository of industry knowledge that the Senate must take advantage of. They include but not limited to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the regulatory agency of the telecommunications industry, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, two operating bodies in the industry – ATCON and ALTON, GSMA, ITU, WHO ICNIRP and a whole lot of other organizations.”

    One would never know if the Committee ever found this unsolicited advice useful. But such was the situation last year that as COVID-19 created an epidemic fear, the regulator had to release a comprehensive statement in which it assured of the safety of 5G. While the Commission acknowledged a trial run of 5G in Nigeria with all the relevant stakeholders involved, it confirmed that no 5G license had been issued any operator even as safety and human health are top priority in the design and deployment of the technology.

    “5G technology will transform the world by connecting everything with everybody. It will create millions of jobs, it will add billions of dollars to the economy (GDP), and can solve some of our problems such as insecurity and improve governance and efficiency in the society,” the Commission listed the benefits in the statement.

    Nigeria needs to move beyond emotions and unfounded paranoia to tap into the benefits of 5G. The reason being that the world is moving on and nobody is going to wait for any country which is not sure of what it wants out of tomorrow. While we were measuring the value of life apropos 5G last year, an operator in Dubai simply tracked the flow of traffic to confirm the migration and residence of subscribers and pinpointed their equipment to enable them have unbelievable tech experience and work from home at the height of the pandemic.

    South Korea, a country with very little land in the Korea peninsula rolled out 5G technology in December 2018, and that country which used to cringe before the bestial north, is miles ahead of most advanced countries of the west, including the US and Germany, and even China that are the curators of 5G equipment. At no time does anybody, including visitors, run short of high speed open Wi-Fi on the streets of Incheon.

    In Africa, South Africa (MTN and Vodacom) and Kenya (Safaricom) are maintaining a clear lead although over ten other countries are carrying out a 5G trial. Nigeria has finished a trial and was on the cusp of significant advancement before the flight was aborted by the Senate.

    Is 5G that important? Let me give you the American view as presented by former President, Donald Trump. Taking a significant decision in April last year, Trump said: “We cannot allow any other country to out-compete the United States in this powerful industry of the future. We are leading by so much in so many different industries of that type, and we just can’t let that happen. The race to 5G is a race America must win, and it’s a race, frankly, that our great companies are now involved in. We’ve given them the incentive they need. It’s a race that we will win.”

    Oh, does that resonate like President John F. Kennedy’s Man on the Moon speech of May 25, 1961? Sometimes, great leaders make some bold and challenging statements with concomitant results. It is clear to all that we suffer terrible leadership deficit at the moment but this must not rob us of the future. I challenge the Senate to rise above the ephemeral fears and uncertainties that presently confront us. The fact that the Challenger exploded shortly after takeoff on January 28, 1986, killing all seven astronauts in it, has not stopped NASA from sending people to space or stopped entrepreneurs from working on space tourism projects. The Senate must creep out of the shadows of tech phobia and think of something big for the people.

    Okoh Aihe writes from Abuja.

  • NCC awaits FG’s final decision to deploy 5G across Nigeria

    NCC awaits FG’s final decision to deploy 5G across Nigeria

    The Nigerian Communications Commission is awaiting the Federal Government’s final decision on the deployment of the 5th Generation (5G) mobile network.

    Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), made this known at signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) on clearing of C-band for deployment of 5G services on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said that all the issues associated with the safety of the technology had been adequately addressed in the country.

    “First of all, issues associated with the safety of this technology have been adequately addressed. Nigerians have been sensitised on the safety of this technology with regards to health the security dimension.

    “We have gone to the government and very soon they will come up with a statement on the date for the deployment of 5G services because the policy is equally ready.

    “So the information of the state of readiness as we can see is satisfactory. We have the policy, we have the resource for the deployment of 5G services in the country.

    “We have mobile network operators that are willing to bid for the available spectrum that will be used for the deployment of this subs to Nigerians. So our state of readiness is really high indeed,” he said.

    The EVC intimated that the next step was for the spectrum to be allocated to the NCC by the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), assuring that government would give approval for the utilisation of the spectrum to deploy 5G services in the country.

    “Well the next step is for the spectrum in question to be allocated to the NCC by the National Frequency Management Council which has the honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy as chair.

    “The minister is aware about this signing of the MOU, he has given his blessing and therefore we are not envisaging any problem at the level of the national frequency Management Council.

    “We are assured of getting the approval for the utilisation of the spectrum to deploy 5G services in the country,” he said.

    Speaking further, he said that the 5G, would build on this momentum, bringing substantial network improvements, including higher connection speeds, mobility and capacity, as well as low-latency capabilities.

    “We are glad that the Management of NigComSat and NCC have taken a bold step in the right direction to release contagious quantum of Spectrum in the 3.5GHz band for early deployment of 5G.

    Danbatta, however, said that the 3.4 GHz -3.9GHz arel the best frequency allocated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

    He said that the C-band was most suitable and appropriate for immediate deployment of 5G services taking into consideration availability of device ecosystem with 60-70 per cent of global commercial 5G network deployment currently in the band.

    He said this was the importance of the spectrum for early deployment of 5G services in Nigeria and it cannot be over emphasised.

    According to him, amongst the Frequency Spectrum bands allocated to 5G by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU, the C-band (3.4GHz – 3.9GHz) stands out because its balancing point between coverage and capacity provides the perfect environment for 5G connectivity.

    The two agencies have been in discussions on how to relocate the operations of NG-1R to the standard C-band 300MHz (3.9GHz – 4.2GHz) potion of the band, which is more suitable in terms of Satellite service offering because end user terminal are cheaper there,

    While leaving the non-standard C-band 400MHz (3.5GHz–9GHz) portion of the band for 5G use.

    The cost of relocating the NG-1R is expected to be offset from the proceeds of the auction of the 5G Spectrum.”

    “For optimal 5G service performance, an average of contiguous 100 MHz of spectrum in the C-band is required by an Operator.

    “However in Nigeria, only 120 MHz of the band (3.4 – 3.52) GHz is available for mobile services while the remaining 680 MHz (3.52 – 4.2) GHz of the band is used by NigComSat (NG-1R) satellites”.

    Dr Abimbola Alale, Director/General, NIGCOMSAT, appreciated all stakeholders that made the MoU a reality and added that she cannot thank them enough for their efforts.

  • BREAKING: NCC signs MoU for deployment of 5G services across Nigeria

    BREAKING: NCC signs MoU for deployment of 5G services across Nigeria

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Wednesday signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to begin the deployment of 5G services across Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports 5G is a fifth generation of mobile technology, which is an improvement of today’s 4G technology with enhanced capabilities.

    5G technology provides the platform for new and emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data to improve the way we live and work.

    The NCC signed the MoU with Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited to use the C-Band Spectrum for deployment of 5G services in the country.

    Recall that the NCC undertook three months 5G trials in selected locations in Nigeria in November 2019.

    The trial, among others, was to study and observe health or security challenges the 5G network might present.

    “The importance of this Spectrum for early deployment of 5G services in Nigeria cannot be over emphasized.

    “The Commission initiated negotiation with NIGCOMSAT who in our estimate could make some adjustments to its satellite operation and release part of its Spectrum holding in the band to facilitate the deployment of 5G in Nigeria.

    “The impact of this agreement knows no bounds and will not only strengthen the relationship between both agencies but would also go a long way in making a positive impact on the Nigerian economy.

    “The C-band is most suitable and appropriate for immediate deployment of 5G services taking into consideration availability of device ecosystem with 60-70% of global commercial 5G network deployment currently in the band.

    “Amongst the Frequency Spectrum bands allocated to 5G by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the C-band (3.4GHz – 3.9GHz) stands out because its balancing point between coverage and capacity provides the perfect environment for 5G connectivity.

    “This historic event between the NIGCOMSAT and NCC will facilitate the release of contiguous bandwidth in one of the most suitable Frequency Spectrum band(s) for early deployment of 5G Network services in the largest market in sub-Saharan Africa,” NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Prof Umar Danbatta said at the MoU signing ceremony.

  • 5G deployment in Nigeria gets nod from Senate

    5G deployment in Nigeria gets nod from Senate

    The Nigerian Senate has given a nod for the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) technology in the country.

    This follows an investigative public hearing by the Senate Joint Committee on Communications; Science and Technology; Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Cyber Crimes; and Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases, at the National Assembly Chamber in Abuja on Thursday, February 25, 2021.

    Recall that the Senate resolved on May 5, 2020 that the joint committee conduct the public hearing, following a motion of public importance and urgency by Sen. Uche Ekwunife, Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology to resolve all public health and safety concerns around 5G before NCC can proceed with its deployment in Nigeria.

    At the investigative public hearing, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami allayed fears of Nigerians on the deployment of 5G technology in the country, clarifying that there is no known scientific evidence till date suggesting that 5G poses any risks to public health and safety.

    The heads of agencies under the ministry, who were present at the hearing include the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta; Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi and the Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellites Limited (NigComSat), Dr. Abimbola Alale.

    Speaking at the public hearing, Pantami affirmed the findings from independent scientific reports published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), both agencies of the United Nations (UN), which clearly indicate that there is no health risks to human lives associated with the deployment of 5G.

    The Minister said after the initial approval by President Muhammadu Buhari which led to the commencement in 2019 of 5G trial in selected locations in the country and subsequent intervention of the National Assembly in 2020, seeking clarifications on probable health risks of 5G deployment, the Ministry had so far undertaken wide-ranging stakeholder consultations to ascertain the safety of 5G networks.

    Pantami explained that, having aligned with the ITU and WHO reports and studied 5G deployment situations in many advanced countries where it has been fully deployed without any health risks, the ministry can affirmatively say that there are no health risks to 5G networks.

    “To this end, we are also working on a 5G deployment policy that will take care of all security, health and safety concerns of Nigerians and we will get the nod of the President, after all issues have been addressed before we proceed with our deployment, as we cannot afford to lag behind in the 5G revolution,” he said.

    The Minister clarified that 5G is an enhanced technology over the previous technologies of 4G, 3G and 2G, the three of which have more radiations than the 5G technology, adding that the “radiation from mobile technologies such as 5G is internationally certified by ITU and WHO as non-ionising, meaning such radiation does do not have harmful effect on human lives and it is far low compared with radiation from microwave oven that individuals use in their homes.”

    Representatives of mobile networks operators (MNOs), telecom equipment vendors, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), especially the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement (NESREA), National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), among several others also spoke at the public hearing.

    The stakeholders took turns to state their positions on 5G deployment and issues surrounding its health and safety concerns and almost unanimously aligned with the scientific reports from ITU and WHO cited by the Minister.

    Earlier in his address, the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, said the Senate resolved on May 5, 2020, that the joint committee conduct the public hearing, following a motion of public importance and urgency by Sen. Uche Ekwunife, Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology to resolve all public health and safety concerns around 5G before NCC can proceed with its deployment in Nigeria.

    After listening to all the views and submissions by the various stakeholders, the Lead Chairman of the Senate Joint Committee, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, said that the purpose of the public enquiry is meant to help clarify and allay the fears of any health concerns among Nigerians.

    “We hope all the submissions here today which point to the same direction on the safety of 5G to human lives will put the mind of Nigerians at rest that there is nothing to fear. We also hope that Nigerians will be looking forward to having 5G deployed in Nigeria.”

    She emphasised the commitment of the National Assembly to always take a neutral position on any issue generating public health, safety and security concerns among Nigerians until more clarifications are sought from concerned stakeholders.

  • Why use of 5G phones onboard aircraft is risky

    Why use of 5G phones onboard aircraft is risky

    French Civil Aviation Authority has warned that the latest generation of smartphones with 5G can interfere with aircraft altitude instruments.

    A spokesman for the French Civil Aviation Authority gave the warning on Tuesday, stressing that the interference has to do with aircraft’s altimeters.

    This interference can cause errors “in instruments that are extremely critical during landing,” according to the agency, known by its French acronym DGAC.

    “The utilisation of 5G devices onboard aircraft could lead to risks of interference that could potentially result in errors in altitude readings,” the spokesman for the agency told AFP.

    The agency sent a bulletin on the issue to airlines last week, recommending that 5G phones should either be turned off completely or put in “airplane mode” during flights.

    The DGAC also recommended that in cases of disruption to an aircraft’s equipment that the flight crew immediately notify air traffic controllers who can then alert authorities at the airport.

    DGAC also noted that it had laid out conditions for the positioning of 5G base stations in order to limit the risks of interference during landing at French airports.

    The strength of signals from 5G base stations placed near France’s main airports has been restricted, said the DGAC, which has been conducting additional testing since November when French telecommunications operators were given the green light to begin rolling out 5G services.

    It is continuing to monitor 5G base stations around all French airports in cooperation with the agency responsible for radio frequencies.

  • Britain issues new deadline for installation of Huawei 5G kit

    Britain issues new deadline for installation of Huawei 5G kit

    The British government on Monday said that it would ban providers from installing Huawei equipment in the country’s 5G network beginning from September 2021.

    Oliver Dowden, the secretary of state for the Department of Media, Culture and Sport, gave the new deadline ahead of the Telecommunications (Security) Bill coming before the Parliament today , British media including the Press Association reported.

    “We are taking bold steps to implement one of the toughest telecoms security regimes in the world

    “A central part of that is combating high-risk vendors, and I have set out an unambiguous timetable for the complete removal of Huawei equipment from our 5G networks no later than 2027,’’ Dowden said in a statement.

    The British government in July said it would exclude the Chinese tech giant from its 5G infrastructure, citing security concerns.

    Dowden at the time said parts already installed are to be removed by 2027, including existing 4G (LTE) infrastructure.

  • 5G deployment in Nigeria in process – says NCC

    5G deployment in Nigeria in process – says NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has published the Draft Consultation Document on the deployment of fifth Generation (5G) Mobile Technology in Nigeria.

    NCC Director, Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Adinde said that the Draft Consultation Document for deployment of the 5G in Nigeria has been produced and uploaded on NCC’s official website (www.ncc.gov.ng).

    He explained that the document defined the implementation plan for the deployment of 5G in Nigeria.

    “The NCC wishes to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that the Commission has not concluded plans for the deployment of fifth Generation (5G) network.

    “It provides a background into the benefits of 5G technology and outlines the Commission’s plans and strategies for a successful implementation of 5G in Nigeria.

    “It presents guidelines for the relevant areas of the technology and the expectations of the Commission from the operators.

    “This plan takes into account the expectations of all the stakeholders in the communications industry in Nigeria,” he said.

    Adinde, however, said that Nigeria undertook 5G trials in selected locations within the country in collaboration with an operator in 2019.

    The trial, among others, was to study and observe health or security challenges the 5G network might present.

    He noted that the commission also had an ongoing engagement with the academia while at the same time funding 5G related research projects.

    Adinde said the projects were to ensure that the nation was provided with the best in terms of research findings and policy input, to drive the implementation of 5G technology in Nigeria.

    “These engagements are targeted at enabling the development of robust policies, which will put Nigeria in the best place to contribute maximally to the digital economy drive of the nation.

    “The specific targets of these engagements include the development of policies which have the potential of accelerating the deployment of 5G networks in Nigeria,

    “Maximizing the productivity and efficiency benefits of 5G to the nation, Creating new opportunities for Nigerian businesses at home and abroad and encouraging in-country investment.

    “Ensuring the operations of 5G networks are in conformity with international standards for the avoidance of doubt, as with the previous technologies such as 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G,”he said.

    He assured that the NCC would not commence 5G deployment without due consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

  • Why falsehood about 5G is bad for Nigeria

    Why falsehood about 5G is bad for Nigeria

    The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, says that the present misinformation and misrepresentation of 5G technology has the potential to derail its implementation in the country.

    Danbatta, represented by Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs of NCC, said this at the opening of a two-day capacity building for members of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), Abuja Chapter, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The programme organised by the NCC, was with the theme: “Capacity Building for Telecom Sector Reporters”.

    The executive vice chairman noted that a lot of falsehoods and misinformation had been peddled both on the social media and traditional media outlets, with regard to the health and safety implications of deploying the 5G technology in Nigeria.

    He decried a situation where many Nigerians including citizens from other climes, believed that the introduction of the new technology was responsible for the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Danbatta noted that the misconception of the technology was even made worse because many journalists and telecoms consumers lacked sufficient information about the 5G technology.

    “The misinformation/misrepresentation of 5G technology has the potential of derailing the launch/implementation of this new technology in our clime.

    “Many Nigerians including citizens in more civilised countries were hooked on the notion that the introduction of 5G technology was the reason behind the spread of the novel COVID-19 Pandemic.

    “This misconception was even made worse because those saddled with the responsibility of informing, educating and enlightening the average Nigerian telecom consumers were also bereft of the knowledge of this new technology and hitched a ride on the band wagon of doubters.

    Danbatta however, underscored the indispensability of 5G technology, adding that its impact would be much greater than the current 4G network.

    While listing out the benefits of the new technology, he quoted a recent report by Qualcomm, which predicted that 5G would affect the global economy and drive its growth exponentially.

    According to him, 5G’s full economic effect will likely be realized across the globe by 2035, supporting a wide range of industries and potentially enabling up to $13.2 trillion worth of goods and services.

    “This impact will be much greater than the current 4G network.

    “5G, when fully deployed, will provide increased speed and bandwidth as well as provide deeper coverage to reach people in rural or challenging locations.

    “In addition, 5G will provide strong security for the various sectors of government and private organizations.

    “Due to its sheer scale and scope, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) predicts 5G will accelerate the achievements of all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) from affordable and clean energy to zero hunger,” he said.

    The executive vice chairman said that the NCC would ensure that the information reached an average Nigerian timely and accurately.

    He also said that the Commission would maintain the training periodically for stakeholders in the media and to support capacity building and other initiatives, which fosterEd closer interaction and build stronger relationship with NITRA.

    “This is the reason why training such as this is necessary for members of NITRA who have continued to cover the ICT industry in Nigeria.

    “We will ensure that the NCC maintains this training periodically for our crucial stakeholders in the media to ensure that the information that reaches the average Nigerian is accurate and timely.

    “It is our duty and responsibility to ensure that whatever we want to introduce to the Nigerian telecoms space is well understood by Nigerians and all those who make use of our telecoms services.

    ‘The onus is on all of us here today to make sure that we take this training seriously and take advantage of it to expand on our horizons.

    “This is very necessary so that when we report events or activities relating to the industry, we are able to translate them into a language that the common man will readily understand.