MTN Nigeria Tests 5G Network Amid Infrastructure Decay
Nigeria now joins the league of countries which have adopted the fifth-generation (5G) telecommunication network to boost their economy as MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, on Wednesday, kicked off the 5G network despite the dilapidation of infrastructure in the country.
The kick-off, which is an open 5G pilot, is a test run on the next-generation network infrastructure that will prepare the way for a highly anticipated commercial launch, MTN Nigeria said.
Experts had argued that poor fibre penetration, network security, spectrum pricing and harmonisation, poor electricity, infrastructure decay and inflation were some of the bottlenecks that could hamper the 5G deployment in the country.
This is even as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had in one of its releases identified other challenges including limited frequencies, skilled professionals, fewer 5G-enabled devices, and cost of deployment.
In a chat with our correspondent on the kicked off of the 5G network, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, “It’s a very good development and we’re glad that history has again been made and the future is here.”
Adebayo had said Nigeria was ready to deploy the 5G network but that the network would run alongside the previous 2G, 3G and 4G networks.
“It is a complementary service, not a replacement service,” the ALTON chairman said. “It is a platform that is very suitable for many industries; aviation, military, security and telecommunications.”
The Managing Director of Cloudflex Computing Services, Remi Adejumo, also told InsideBusiness that the kickoff of the 5G was a good thing.
According to him, 5G opens up opportunities, noting that Turkey and Dubai have shown what a comprehensive closed-circuit television (CCTV) rollout does for security.
He said, “The rollout will open up opportunities for the usage of telecoms/technology. Also, it will accelerate development.
“The key advantage is the higher bandwidth of 5G. The development calls for more and more bandwidth, and larger files to be sent and received. Brings the country closer to developed societies.”
Adejumo, however, pointed out, “We are suffering from under-investment in the technology and telecoms market. No country will develop without good technology and telecoms investment.”
According to a statement on Wednesday signed by its Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah, MTN Nigeria is preparing for the commercial launch of the 5G services in seven cities which are Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan, Kano, Owerri and Maiduguri.
The company, however, did not state when it intended to go commercial with the 5G services but said consumers with certain enabled devices (which were not disclosed) would be allowed to connect with and try out the new service where its coverage is available.
“The advance technology promises to extend the reach and capacity of MTN Nigeria’s data network in Nigeria and enable much faster speeds and lower latency, giving customers near-instant access to the things they care about and downloads that take seconds, instead of minutes,” MTN Nigeria stated.
Its Chief Marketing Officer, Adia Sowho, said, “Every major technological evolution redefines what is possible – changing the way we live and the way we connect. MTN Nigeria has been at the forefront of every leap in telecommunications: from GSM to 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G have the potential to change everything. It will allow us to connect, create, collaborate, and compete in ways we’ve not even begun to imagine.”
She added, “We’re honoured to be a part of this revolution and being the first to bring 5G to Nigeria we are truly excited about all the possibilities for the nation.”
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