Emerging Techs: NCC engages stakeholders on 6GHz band, restates commitment to enhanced telecoms QoS

*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, rallies the support of industry stakeholders on deployment of 6GHz band offering a substantial increase in available spectrum crucial for supporting the growing demand for high-speed Internet and advanced applications in the country’s telecoms ecosystem

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to adapting emerging technologies centering on knowledge policies, infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship and capital as well trade to enhance telecommunications service delivery in the country.

ConsumerConnect reports Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, noted this in his speech delivered at the Annual Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies, held Thursday, September 19, 2024, in Lagos.

Welcoming the participants, Dr. Maida described the forum as a historic event, where Nigeria is set to join the league of countries already utilising part of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi -6 applications.

The EVC/CEO of the Commission expressed fulfilment and a sense of responsibility for being associated with this process of joining other economies to utilise other available bands to boost telecoms service delivery, in line with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

According to Maida, represented at the stakeholders’ forum by Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services at NCC, his leadership has been mandated to reposition the telecoms sector regulatory Commission on a path that would ensure the uptake of opportunities through its strategic focus areas.

This, he stated, is driven by the recognition that each of our stakeholders, whether it is NCC’s licensees and industry operators, consumers, or government, who all maintain unique perspectives, and have certain expectations of as the Commission.

Maida said: “Therefore, to accomplish our objectives in driving our strategic goals, the Commission identified some key factors, which include people, collaboration data, compliance, and digitalisation.

“Guided by our actions in the right direction and, of course, that of the Federal Government through the Minister’s Strategic Blueprint centered on knowledge policies, infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship and Capital as well Trade, we have been able to set the ball rolling to enhance telecommunication service delivery in Nigeria.”

Objectives of 6GHz for Wi-Fi – 6, IMT and Broadband connectivity, by Maida

Maida also expatiated on one of the key factors on collaboration as outlined in our focus areas and the Commission’s traditionally institutionalised policy of participatory regulation and the practice of industry-wide consultations in conducting its regulatory functions

The NCC Chief stated: “We are here again to elicit your comments and inputs on the use of the 6GHz for Wi-Fi – 6 and International Mobile Telecommunications (MT).

“In line with global best practices, we sincerely believe that our actions must be guided by decisions that take into cognizance the inputs from all stakeholders in the industry.”

In regard to fundamental objectives of the 6GHz band, spanning from 5925 MHz to 7125 MHz, Maida emphasised the spectrum “offers a substantial increase in available spectrum, which is crucial for supporting the growing demand for high-speed internet and advanced applications.

“Wi-Fi plays a crucial role in the distribution of fixed Broadband connectivity in homes, offices, and various other environments.

He further said the vast majority of home Internet traffic is connected to the end-user through Wi-Fi in the Nigerian telecoms space .

The EVC/CEO also averred that in enterprise settings, “Wi-Fi is essential for handling large amounts of data and simultaneously connecting large numbers of devices with improved reliability, higher data throughput, and lower latencies.”

Underscoring the significance of deploying the 6GHz band, Dr. Maida, acknowledged that existing 5GHz and 2.4GHz that are being used for Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 5) at the moment “are becoming overwhelmed due to an increase in demand for capacity.

“It is, therefore, imperative to identify other frequency bands to complement the 5GHz and 2.4GHz.”

Highlighting the need to join the league of other economies maximising the benefits of the 6G spectrum, Maida disclosed the recently concluded 2023 World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-23) allocated the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi and IMT applications with different recommendations on how to use the band.

“This was the outcome of a long study cycle process leading to the decision at the WRC-2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“We present to you our thoughts and recommendations on the use of the Spectrum band to get your feedback for informed decision-making,” Dr. Maida told the industry stakeholders in Lagos.

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