The Nigeria Communications Commission has said that the wrong impression created of 5G technology may delay its implementation in the country.
The executive vice-chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission, (NCC), Umar Danbatta said this in Abuja on Tuesday.
In Nigeria, the deployment of 5G has generated a lot of controversies. Many Nigerians, including notable personalities, have come out to declare that the technology has already been deployed in the country and is also dangerous. NCC on its part has refuted rumours that the technology was in use in some parts of the country.
In November 2019, NCC approved trials for 5G for three months. The trial has been concluded and installation decommissioned, it said, while licenses have not been issued yet.
The 5G of mobile technology is an upgrade on the current 4G technology being used, but with enhanced capabilities. The technology which provides the platform for new and emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and Big Data will improve the way people live and work.
Danbatta said, “A lot of falsehoods and misinformation have been peddled both on online and traditional media outlets about the health and safety implications of deploying 5G technology.”
Qualcomm only recently released the findings of a recent landmark economy study it conducted. The study showed that 5G will improve the global economy and drive growth exponentially.
5G’ s full economic effect will likely be realised across the globe by 2035, supporting a wide range of industries and potentially enabling up to $13.2 trillion worth of goods and services. This impact will be much greater than the current 4G network.
The NCC head said that 5G when fully deployed will provide increased speed and bandwidth as well as provide deeper coverage to reach people in rural or challenging locations.
Besides, 5G will provide strong security for the various sectors of government and private organisations.
Danbatta while speaking on the benefits of the new technology said, “Due to its sheer scale and scope, the ITU predicts 5G will accelerate the achievements of all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from affordable and clean energy to zero hunger.
“Many Nigerians including citizens in more civilised countries were hooked on the notion that the introduction of 5G technology was the reason behind the spread of the novel COVID-19 pandemic.
“This misconception was even made worse because those saddled with the responsibility of informing, educating, and enlightening the average Nigerian telecom consumers were also bereft of the knowledge of this new technology and hitched a ride on the bandwagon of doubters.”
