The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has explained that it has not finalized plans for the deployment of the Fifth Generation (5G) network as consultation with stakeholders is still ongoing.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the Commission further explained that
The previously released draft consultation document defines the implementation plan for the deployment of 5G in Nigeria.
“The Commission wishes to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that the Commission has not finalized plans for the deployment of the Fifth Generation (5G) network.
“The draft consultation document for the deployment of 5G in Nigeria has been prepared and uploaded to the official website of the Commission (www.ncc.gov.ng).
“This document defines the implementation plan for the deployment of 5G in Nigeria,” Adinde said.
Recall that the Commission recently published the draft consultation document on the deployment of fifth generation (5G) mobile technology in Nigeria.
The draft provides background on the benefits of 5G technology and outlines the Commission’s plans and strategies for a successful 5G rollout in Nigeria.
It presents guidelines for the relevant areas of technology and the expectations of the Commission on the part of the operators.
According to Adinde, the Plan takes into account the expectations of all stakeholders in the Nigerian communications industry.
Nigeria conducted 5G trials at selected locations within the country in collaboration with an operator in 2019.
The trial, among others, was to study and observe any health or safety challenges that the 5G network might present.
“The Commission also has an ongoing commitment to academia, while at the same time funding 5G research projects, all in an attempt to ensure that the nation receives the best in terms of research findings and policy input, to advance the implementation and deployment of 5G technology in Nigeria.
“These commitments are aimed at enabling the development of sound policies, which will put Nigeria in the best place to contribute as much as possible to the momentum of the nation’s digital economy,” he further said.
He listed some of the specific objectives of the commitments to include the development of policies that have the potential to: accelerate the deployment of 5G networks in Nigeria; maximize the productivity and efficiency benefits of 5G for the nation; creating new opportunities for Nigerian companies at home and abroad and encouraging investment in the country and ensuring that 5G network operations conform to international standards.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission said that it will not start its implementation without due consultation with all relevant stakeholders regarding the above technologies such as 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G.
