Nigerian government has approved the implementation of the Fifth Generation Network, also known as 5G.
Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), announced the approval after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on September 8, 2021.
Following the clearance, the Minister urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to begin implementing the country’s 5G strategy as soon as possible.
The minister in a statement released on Thursday by the NCC Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, noted that “The roll-out of 5G would be carried out in phases beginning with large towns in the country “where there is a need for high quality broadband.”
The NCC will release an implementation roadmap for 5G deployment across the country, as well as service roll-out deadlines. In addition, the Commission has been asked to begin developing relevant regulatory instruments to address issues such as health, safety, and others in order to ensure that Mobile Network Operators implement 5G effectively (MNOs).
The National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), chaired by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, will, in no distant time, release the 5G Spectrum to the NCC for auction to MNOs that will need the spectrum for 5G deployment.
The approval of the 5G Plan by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, and the FEC is a major boost to Nigeria’s promising 5G Plan, which has the objectives of ensuring efficient assignment of spectrum for 5G deployment, creating an enabling environment for investment in the telecom industry, ensuring effective deployment of 5G to cover major urban cities by 2025, among others.
In line with the objectives of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030 for a Digital Nigeria, and the positioning of Nigeria as an early adopter of digital technology in the growing global digital economy, the successful and timely deployment of 5G is crucial. 5G is expected to facilitate several emerging technologies, generate innovative use cases, spur significant socio-economic growth and create jobs.
The Minister appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari, the entire FEC members, the National Assembly, as well as other industry stakeholders for their roles and contributions in the journey that culminated in the approval of the 5G implementation for the country.
Source: nationalaccordnewspaper.com