Olusola Bello
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami who also doubled as the chairman of National Frequency Management Council has handed over the 3.5GHz spectrum allocation for the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) Networks to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other stakeholders in the industry.
The minister while doing the handing over, also made the public presentation of the National Policy on Fifth Generation Networks for Nigeria’s Digital Economy in Abuja.
Pantami recalled that the country’s journey to the actualisation of 5G was fraught with challenges many of which were superstitious and unscientific.
He said; “Amidst health rumors linking 5G to the source and spread of Covid19, the Nigerian government took deliberate, painstaking steps to ensure its safety through trials, expert reviews and advise from professional and relevant authorities and stakeholders because the safety of our citizens is our priority.”
The minister stressed the need for Nigeria to take its pride of place in the fourth industrial revolution by exploring the tools of digital technology.
He highlighted some of the benefits of 5G to include; enhanced security, transparency, agriculture boost among others and advised state governors to look beyond the monetary gains the deployment of 5G would bring to their states and the Nigerian economy.
According to the Minister, the issue of right of way becomes a challenge from time to time, stating that the government has addressed the issue more than ninety per cent, but from time to time issues may come. I do hope that they will understand the economic benefits. The security benefits and many more of this technological advancement.
“It is beyond right of way charges. It goes beyond that. So let us try to make the process very easy for operators so that they will be able to deploy the 5G.”
Handing over the allocated spectrum to the Chairman Governing Board of NCC, Professor Adeolu Akande and the Executive Vice Chairman Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, Pantami directed that the spectrum be distributed to the companies whose bids were successful during the auction in December of 2021.
He urged stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the National Policy of 5G for Nigeria’s Digital Economy.
The initial trial to ascertain the risks involved in the deployment of 5G in Nigeria was conducted in November of 2019 while the policy was launched on the 25th of January 2022 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
