ConsumerConnect | Digital Economy: Nigeria planning widest 5G deployment in Africa 2022 ─Pantami

*The Federal Government says Nigeria as the largest digital economy with the biggest telecoms market, Internet subscribers, and leading Broadband is expected to have the all-inclusive 5G deployment in Africa by 2022, for the benefit of consumers, businesses and organisations

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As the West African country pushes forward in its plan for the deployment of 5G Network services for the benefit of consumers and businesses, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, has stated that Nigeria is expecting to have the widest 5G networks on the African continent next year.

ConsumerConnect reports Prof. Pantami said this in his remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at the historic 3.5 Gigahertz (Ghz) spectrum band auction held Monday, December 13, 2021, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, in Abuja, FCT.

Earlier, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had chalked up three telecoms firms to bid for two slots after meeting all requirements for participating in the licensing process.

Subsequently, MTN Nigeria Plc, Mafab Communications Limited and Airtel Networks Limited Friday, December 10, 2021, participated in the software-based simulated auction, using the Ascending Clock Auction System for the mock session in Abuja.

Each bidder went through a bidding room after participating in an opening round.

The Minister in his address Monday said in regard to the unmatched benefits of the Fifth Generation (5G) technology deployment in Nigeria, the new technology can solve some of the security challenges in the country, since the technology provides real time services and platforms.

Pantami noted: “Let us not forget that Nigeria has the largest digital economy in Africa, Nigeria has the largest telecommunications market in Africa, Nigeria has the largest internet subscribers in Africa, Nigeria has the largest broadband and we hope that by 2022, Nigeria will have the widest 5G coverage in Africa.

“It is because of this and looking at the general benefits of the 5G deployment.”

FEC’s approval of National 5G Policy for Digital Economy and benefits

Pantami reminded the stakeholders and other participants at the forum that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a National 5G Policy for Nigeria’s Digital Economy September 8, 2021.

He noted that the approval process followed a very robust debate at the Council in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“The National Policy contains all the necessary information guiding the processes and procedures for the deployment of 5G technology in Nigeria,” said he.

The Minister also said among other mandates, the Policy stipulates the collaboration with relevant stakeholders and provision of the required spectrum and enabling environment to ensure full deployment of 5G in the country.

“This will harness the social and economic benefits that come along with it, and will serve as a catalyst for the successful implementation of our National Digital Economy Development and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria.

“The deployment of 5G will also support in the implementation of our National Broadband Plan,” Pantami stated.

Some advantages of 5G deployment over current technologies

The Minister for Communications and Digital Economy also said that he was delighted at making special remarks on the occasion of the 3.5GHz Spectrum Auction in the West African country.

According to him, as Nigeria advances to the next phase of the implementation of the National Policy on 5G Networks for Nigeria’s Digital Econony with the 3.5GHz Spectrum Auction, “5G networks offer significant advantages over current technologies.”

The Minister restated that some of the advantages of 5G netwroks are much lower latency, higher bandwidth, greater a device density longer battery life for nodes, and greater network flexibility.

Going down the memory lane on how the country has come this far in activating the plan for Nigeria Digital Economy, Pantami recalled that the country has already made a number of giant strides in the development of digital economy, and deployment of 5G networks to further support the ongoing efforts.

Implementing National Policy on 5G for Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Prof. Pantami also stated: “It is worthy of note that, as of 10th of December, 2021, we have exceeded the 70 million mark in unique NIN (National Identification Number) enrolments. You will recall that we had just over 40 million enrolments in September 2020.

“The additional enrolments, which are close to 30 million enrolments in a little over a year, constitute a truly great feat to the extent that other countries now want to learn from us.”

The Minister further said the National Policy stated the key role of the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) in the allocation of spectrum for the deployment of 5G networks in Nigeria.

Accoting to Pantami, the NFMC is also to “ensure that the required spectrum for 5G standard is made available in the most appropriate and timely manner to enable investments, innovation, and competition in the deployment of 5G services for the benefit of consumers and businesses.”

The Minister, who doubles as the Chairman of NFMC, confirmed that he had ensured that Monday’s event was the result of the various activities of the NFMC for the NCC to implement for the country.

He further noted: “On the implementation of the National Policy, the NCC under my supervision, is saddled with the responsibility of developing strategies, standards, guidelines and frameworks for the deployment of the 5G networks nationwide.

“Accordingly, to ensure a coordinated approach, the Commission has been directed to not only collaborate with relevant agencies under the Ministry, but with all other relevant stakeholders in order to achieve the aims and objectives of the Policy.”

Objectives of National Policy on 5G deployment in Nigeria

The Minister, in addition to the above said the National Policy had been developed to achieve many other goals, a few among which are to ensure effective deployment of 5G to cover major urban areas by 2025; and ensure security of 5G ecosystem and the protection of data.

Pantami also noted other objectives of the policy include to ensure that international best practices and globally accepted standards and specifications are entrenched in Nigeria’s 5G ecosystem; and ensure that the required infrastructure needed for successful deployment of 5G networks, such as data centres, power, etc, are catered for in deployment strategies of 5G networks in Nigeria.

He said that the first set of 5G-trials were critically reviewed and studied by stakeholders, with a view to understanding the health and security implications of deploying 5G in in the country.

According to him, the review indicated that 5G technology is safe for deployment in Nigeria, and would not compromise our security as a country.

This formed the basis for the development and eventual approval of the National Policy by the Federal Executive Council, he stated.

Aside from these, Pantami disclosed that leading transnational organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU), organs of the United Nations (UN), also have established that the deployment of 5G networks does not cause any adverse health effects and are safe.

Therefore, “following the successful mock spectrum auctioning process on the 10th of December, we are very happy to have the actual 3.5GHz auctioning process,” the Minister stated in his address Monday.

He further said: “You will agree with me that the successful bidders and all other stakeholders have played an important role, and still have an important role to play in this journey towards using 5G to support our national economic development agenda.

“I have directed the NCC to monitor the process for the deployment of 5G networks in the country and provide comprehensive regular updates to my office.”

Pantami in his remarks as well commended the Board, Management and Staff of the regulatory Commission, as well as all other stakeholders on the landmark event in the telecommunications industry in the country.

Kindly share this story

Digital Economy: Nigeria planning widest 5G deployment in Africa 2022 ─Pantami

Kindly Share This Story

ABOUT US

SECTIONS

SECTIONS

QUOTE

Connect With Us On:

CONTACTS: