Again, NCC restates benefits of 5G technology to Nigerians

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has again said the introduction of the Fifth Generation Network (5G) in Nigeria will facilitate faster growth of the economy as well as businesses more than what is obtainable now.

The NCC stated this in its Digital Signature Programme, aired on radio stations and other media outfits to educate Nigerians on the programmes and activities of the commission to make telecommunications easily accessible to Nigerians of all shades. The NCC Digital Signature is a weekly programme.

NCC spoke in a recent edition of the programme about 5G, the latest innovation in broadband wireless network, and the progress being made toward its deployment in Nigeria.

The NCC, the regulatory agency of the telecoms sector in the country, obviously chose this topic in view of the doubts being entertained in some quarters concerning the deployment of the new technology.

It said: “Snail speed” and “no-network” are two phrases Nigerians frequently use when they complain about slow or no internet connections. Sometimes it can be frustrating when you’re trying to download a document, a movie or audio file and it’s taking forever. It keeps buffering and it takes precious minutes for the download to complete.

“What about the time you needed urgent cash and rushed to the ATM, only to get there and be told there’s no ‘network’. Or you needed to send that document and it wouldn’t attach promptly because of poor internet?

“In a nutshell, 5G, which stands for fifth-generation wireless network, will solve this problem and many more. It is a major upgrade from the previous Gs; 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G.

“Let us now take a walk down the technological memory lane; The 1G wireless network introduced in the 1980s made analogue voice calls possible, 2G of the early 1990s was digital. 2G enabled the networks to provide text messages, picture messages and Multimedia messages.

3G, an upgrade on 2G introduced in the early 2000s, gave us access to wireless voice telephony, mobile internet access, fixed wireless internet access, video calls and mobile TV.

“4G of the early 2010s among others gave us access to gaming services, high-definition mobile TV, video conferencing and 3D television.”

Mr Bako Wakil, the Director, Technical Standards & Network Integrity, NCC, who came to feature on the programme, explained what 5G is all about.

Wakil spoke about the current status of 5G in the country, the Draft Policy on 5G,its capabilities, and how it impacts sectors, such as medicine, IOT, and education.

He also explained its three main capabilities; ultra-low latency, mass machine communication and advanced mobile broadband. Furthermore, he spoke on how the NCC will go about its deployment, following the approval by the Nigerian Senate.

Wakil further addressed areas of concern around 5G including safety, radiation and privacy issues.

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