… Network to generate $ 13.2 billion in sales, services by 2035
By Juliet Umeh
Despite controversies surrounding the fifth-generation network, 5G over perceived relationships to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria appears to be closer to embracing it.
This is apparently due to the enormous economic benefits that the network has been said to bring to countries that have adopted it.
The network is also said to generate up to $ 13.2 trillion in goods and services by 2035.
The country most likely wants to have a part in this pie, as the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, recently unveiled plans to establish a multi-sector policy framework for its adoption.
Commission Executive Vice President Professor Umar Danbatta, speaking at a conference hosted by Nigeria ICT Reporters, said the plan was to use 5G as a post-Covid economic recovery plan.
In his keynote address on the topic: ‘Multi-stakeholder approach to national recovery after the pandemic, Danbatta said that the socio-economic benefits of the expansion of telecommunications capabilities undertaken by the NCC would be of immense benefit to the country, especially with the deployment of 5G technology.
He said: “The Commission is working vigorously to establish a policy for 5G with multi-sector stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, the Nigerian Medical Association, the NMA, the Academy, the Office of the National Security Advisor, ONSA, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, Association of Nigerian Telecommunications Companies, ATCON, Industry Advisory Advisory Forum, ICAF and many others.
“Our goal is that when the federal government can put in place a policy to advance 5G, Nigerians will properly reap the full benefits of 5G. The Commission is also working to ensure the security of 5G networks in Nigeria through a multi-stakeholder approach in analyzing the environmental impact on the use of 5G and electromagnetic fields, EMF, human impact in Nigeria.
“Once this is done, Nigerians can safely use 5G and reap all the economic, human and material benefits of 5G,” said Danbatta.
He promised that the Commission will continue to work vigorously with industry partners and stakeholders to ensure that the nation’s information and communications technology and ICT infrastructure can meet the growing demand for connectivity.
He stated that the new normal life caused by covid-19 requires reliable means of connectivity that can only be achieved by adopting 5G technology.
Benefits of 5G
The EVC noted that the economic benefits of 5G for Nigeria after the coronavirus pandemic will be enormous, especially since almost all companies and government activities are migrating and offering their services online. He stated that 5G is currently being tested in about 40 countries.
Danbatta said: “According to the ITU, 5G techlov,. .Wnology is expected to connect people, things, data, applications, transportation systems and cities in smart networked communications environments.
“5G is intended to seamlessly connect a large number of sensors embedded in virtually everything through the ability to reduce data rates, power and mobility, providing extremely tight and low-cost connectivity solutions,” he said.
Furthermore, EVC said: “According to a historical economics study conducted by QUALCOMM, 5G will affect the global economy and drive growth exponentially. The full economic effect of 5G is likely to be realized around the world by 2035, supporting a wide range of industries and potentially enabling up to $ 13.2 trillion in goods and services. This impact is much greater than that of previous network generations.
“5G promises to provide higher speed and bandwidth, as well as provide deeper coverage to reach people in rural or challenging locations. Furthermore, 5G will provide great security for the various sectors of governmental and private organizations.
“Due to its large scale and scope, the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, predicts that 5G will accelerate the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, from affordable and clean energy to zero hunger,” detailed NCC Boss.
Meanwhile, earlier in his remarks, the president of the Nigerian Telecommunications Companies Association, ATCON, Mr. Olusola Teniola, said that it is necessary for all stakeholders to work together to achieve a much desired digital economy.
He noted that such collaboration would allow the country to go from a consumer of technology to a producer of technology.
Also, the CEO of a technology company, Medallion, Mr. Ike Nnamani, said that there are still gaps in the availability of services in other parts of the country.
He noted that a large amount of ICT infrastructure appears to be domiciled only in Lagos.
Nnamani said: “We have to extend the telecommunications infrastructure to other cities in Nigeria, it has to be achieved.
On his own, the president of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, spoke about the factors that challenge the deployment of ICT infrastructures.
He listed challenges such as inconsistency on the part of some state, mere rhetoric from some state governments, and multiple taxes.
In addition, he frowned at the rate at which the country is experiencing high mobility of ICT experts in the country.
Adebayo said: “There should be a deliberate effort to keep our young ICT experts here. We need decisive steps to keep them within the country ”.
