Connect with us
Advertisement

Technology

NCC Reveals Truth On Activating 5G Network In Lagos

Published

on

FG Gives Update On 5G Network Installation, Lists Advantages

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has in a statement by its Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, debunked the rumoured news that it has allowed the installation and activation of the Fifth Generation Network, better referred to as 5G in Nigeria.

The NCC in the statement which was made available to newsmen on Monday, May 11, noted that the report which claimed that the Nigerian telecommunications industry has set to switch to the 5G network was a purported lie from some “faceless individuals or groups cannot be further from the truth.”

“The Commission has unequivocally stated that there is no deployment of 5G in Nigeria at the moment,” said Danbatta.

He, however, recalled that the Commission had in November 2019 welcomed a trial test of the 5G which lasted for just three months and has since been decommissioned it.

The NCC statement reads: “The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been drawn to a mischievous statement making the rounds on social media like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and other sites that the Nigerian telecoms industry is going to switch on Fifth Generation (5G) in Lagos this Sunday, 10th, Monday, 11th or Tuesday, 12th May, 2020.”

“Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, said that, ‘’the trial among others was to study and observe any health or security challenges the 5G network might present. Relevant stakeholders including members of the security agencies were invited to participate during the trial.”

“The NCC will continue to maintain its policy of technology neutrality and will continue to encourage service providers to deploy the best technology that will meet the needs of the society in a secured and friendly manner.

“The NCC had provided clarifications through Frequently Asked Questions on 5G in view of the recent developments in which misleading materials with no proven evidence are being circulated to link CORONAVIRUS or COVID-19 with 5G technology and therefore refutes the claim that there will be switching on of 5G in Lagos in its entirety.”

“5G is the fifth generation of mobile technology, which is an improvement of today’s 4G technology with enhanced capabilities. 5G technology provides the platform for new and emerging technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data to improve the way we live and work.”

Danbatta reiterated, “NCC has not issued any licence for 5G in Nigeria and therefore, the mobile network operators (MNOs) cannot switch on such technology. NCC is technology-neutral. As such, we don’t license technology but assigns spectrum to operators for deployment of any service when allocated by the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC).”

‘’As the telecoms regulator, we enjoin Nigerians to get accurate information from us rather than relying on information emanating from social media by some individuals out of ignorance to misinform our people.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Senate on Tuesday has asked the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to halt the introduction of the 5G Network pending the report of its investigation.