Ahead of the 2020 launch of the Fifth Generation (5G) telecommunications services in Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday, enthusiastically supervised the execution of the proof of concept trial of 5G telecom services by MTN Communications, a leading network operator in Nigeria.
The demonstration, which took place at the Regional Office of MTN in Maitama Abuja, was witnessed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ali Ibrahim Pantami; Chairman, NCC Board, Otunba Olabiyi Durojaiye; Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta; Chairman MTN Board, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications, Hon. Adeniyi Adeyemi and his deputy, Hon. Unyime Idem; former Secretary for Health in the Interim National Government, Prince Adelusi Adeluyi; Muhammad Ahmad, pioneer Director-General of National Pension Commission and many other stakeholders.
Pantami conveyed the good wishes of President Muhammadu Buhari and assured that the Federal Government will give full support to the initiative to ensure Nigerians get full derivable benefits of 5G. He noted that the government looks forward to tapping the promise of 5G especially in addressing the security challenges of the nation.
Ernest Ndukwe, Chairman of MTN Nigeria, thanked the Federal Government and the Minister for the support so far demonstrated in ensuring the deepening of the impact of telecoms in the country.
In a remark, Danbatta noted that: “in line with our participatory regulation approach, we will consult widely with stakeholders in developing the right regulatory framework for 5G rollout in Nigeria. We are not oblivious of the global concerns around 5G network security vulnerabilities and we will be working with our parent Ministry and security agencies to develop measures to ensure a high level of cybersecurity of 5G networks”.
Also, in keeping with its noted commitment to regulatory excellence, the NCC had set aside and dedicated specific spectrum bands to network operators for the trial of 5G telecom services, preparatory to the commercial launch of 5G in Nigeria by 2020.
In the fourth quarter of 2018, the NCC enhanced the efforts toward immersing the Nigerian economy in a fully-digitised and knowledge-based economy by organising a workshop in Abuja, in collaboration with the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), to map out strategies for 5G technology that will usher in a much faster broadband experience in the country.
The non-commercial trial of 5G yesterday gives concrete expression and credence to NCC’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerians are able to access all variants of telecommunications services as they unfold and in line with their needs.
