NCC Eyes Fourth Quarter for 5G Rollout

The Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta has announced plans to roll out the Fifth Generation Technology (5G) in the nation’s telecommunication sector by the fourth quarter of the year.

Danbatta also, reiterated Government’s determination to provide an enabling environment for the deployment of the 5G technology in the country.

Danbatta dropped the hint when he spoke at the maiden International Conference on Information and Engineering Systems (ICIES) organized by the Nile University of Nigeria (NUN), Abuja. 

Danbatta stated that plans to deploy 5G technology has made it imperative for a study of the electromagnetic radiation levels which will be generated by the 5G infrastructure.

The NCC EVC, who was represented by Director of Technical Standard, Mr Bako Wakil, said that the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) will determine their own deployment strategies, stressing that the MNOs strategies would however be subject to alignment with approved polices and other regulatory instruments in force.

Speaking on the topic “5G Deployment: Catalyst for Digital Transformation in Nigeria”, the NCC EVC, disclosed that securing spectrum for 5G is an antecedent for any operator to commit serious investment to 5G infrastructure.

“This makes it imperative for the spectrum allocation and assignment process to be concluded as early as possible.

He explained that researches and tests had been carried out on the hazardous impact of electromagnetic emissions from 5G and that they were far below the minimum required standard.

According to him, “the plan to deploy 5G technology creates need for study of the electromagnetic radiation levels which will be generated by the 5G infrastructure, noting that “these tests were conducted in accordance with the International Commission on Non-lonizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines for general public exposure to time varying electromagnetic fields.

“Danbatta disclosed that the results of the test show that radiation from 5G infrastructure is far below the ICNIRP specification for protection of members of the public and therefore, suggest that no public health hazards are expected from the use of 5G in Nigeria.

His words: “Scientific evidence from studies carried out by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), all show that exposure to radio frequencies are safe and does not cause or initiate the occurrence of cancers.

He expressed strong optimism that “the 5G revolution will transform our nation and the economy digitally and become a developmental revolution as well as digital transformation tools, reaching out and bringing benefits to everyone everywhere”.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, of NUN, Prof. Osman Aras, explained that the conference would provide an enabling platform for students, researchers and professionals in the industry to share views on current research work for advancement of knowledge, technology and multidisciplinary research.

Aras said the conference would not have any meaning without reaching end users or put to practical use, otherwise, there would be volumes of knowledge on the shelves and internet without consumers.

In his remarks, Prof. Steve Adeshina of Nile University, who-chaired the conference, explained that the conference was a collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences.

“The ICIES is to provide an enabling platform for students, researchers and professionals in the industry across various fields of engineering and applied sciences to share their current research works, exchange ideas and form collaboration for advancement of knowledge, technology and multidisciplinary research.”