Nigeria approves 5G network deployment, joins countries already enjoying service
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Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy by gross domestic products (GDP) and the continent’s most populous nation, has approved its National Policy on Fifth Generation (5G) Networks for Nigeria’s Digital Economy, an approval that will culminate in the deployment of 5G mobile telephony across its territory.
The Nigerian federal executive council (FEC) gave the approval on Wednesday at its weekly meeting and it was announced by Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, at the conclusion of the meeting held in Abuja and chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Pantami said the decision to deploy the 5G network was backed by an outcome of investigations, research, and trials absolving it of posing a security or health risks to users.
The minister also explained that the radiation from the 5G has proven to be lower than the 4G, televisions or microwaves, contrary to stories peddled on social media about its health implications and alleged linkage with the covid-19 outbreak.
Pantami also assured that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), will continue engaging stakeholders with a view to developing the regulatory instruments required for the successful deployment of the technology in Nigeria.
A statement signed by Femi Adeluyi, the technical assistant to the minister on information technology, said the implementation of the national policy is with immediate effect, adding that the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), will soon release spectrum to the NCC for the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) that meet all the required conditions.
The statement explained that the national policy has been developed over a period of two years, due to the need for extensive stakeholder engagement and the need to ensure adequate public awareness and sensitisation.
It further emphasised that the stakeholder engagement was thorough and multi-sectoral in nature as it critically reviewed and studied the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria, noting that several countries have already commenced the deployment of 5G and enjoying the benefits without negative implications.
“Leading international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), have confirmed that the deployment of 5G networks leave no adverse health effects and are safe,” the statement read in part.
It also highlighted the significant advantages of 5G networks over the current technologies to include lower latency, higher bandwidth, greater device density, longer battery life for nodes and greater network flexibility.