NATIONAL POLICY ON 5G NETWORK, has been approved in Nigeria, by government’s highest policy making body, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Wednesday, to enhance Nigeria’s Digital Economy. Presentation for the approval was made by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami.
Implementation of the policy takes immediate effect, according to a statement, by Femi Adeluyi, Technical Assistant, Information Technology, to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, in Abuja.
The National Frequency Management Council, NFMC, will release, soon, spectrum to Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, for Mobile Network Operators, MNOs, that meet all required conditions.
Adeluyi said the National Policy was developed over two years period, to enable due and extensive stakeholders engagement, and ensure adequate public awareness and sensitization. The stakeholders engagement was thorough and multi-sectoral. And took into account the report of the three-month 5G trials that commenced November 25, 2019.
THE REPORT, Adeluyi said, critically reviewed and studied the health and security implications, of deploying 5G in Nigeria. Leading international organisations such as World Health Organisation, WHO, and International Telecommunications Union, ITU, an organ of the United Nations, confirmed that deployment of 5G networks has no adverse health effect and safe.
Adeluyi’s statement, further said, that 5G networks offer significant advantages over the 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, Adeluyi said, have commenced the deployment of 5G, and are enjoying its benefits. The countries include United States, United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, South Africa and Lesotho, among others.
He said NCC, the regulator of the telecommunications sector, will continue to engage stakeholders with a view to developing regulatory instruments required for the successful deployment of the technology in Nigeria.
