Terry Anyaoku, Abuja.
Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has concluded consultations with critical stakeholders and it is ready to switch to 5G network.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta said monday in Abuja that the stakeholders are ready to deploy the new technologies to migrate to 5G.
5G generation wireless is the latest iteration of cellular technology, engineered to greatly increase the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks. It enables a sharp increase in the amount of data transmitted over wireless systems owing to more available bandwidth and advanced antenna technology.
The difference between 4G and 5G is that the latter promises mobile data that far outstrip the fastest home broadband network currently available to consumers. With speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second, the latest technology is about 100 percent faster that the current 4G.
According to Danbatta, “A few months ago, we had a forum on 5G readiness where all critical stakeholders comprehensively examined the legal, regulatory and technology issues and we are developing a roadmap”.
“In addition to 5G, we have opened up consultations on spectrum for drones, etc. we are proactively leading discussions on the deployment of new technologies.”
For now, the commission is engaging with state governments to address issue of not only multiple taxation but also the protection of telecoms masts and, when the Critical Infrastructure Protection is passed by the National Assembly, the barriers to the deployment of fixed infrastructure will be removed.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has softened up on its threat to pull down telecommunications masts close to airports while NCC is still engaging the Aviation authority for a lasting solution.
“We are happy that NCAA has now withdrawn the threat. But just to emphasize that we understand that NCAA is keen to protect Nigeria’s airspace and that is fine. Aviation safety concerns all of us and it is a legitimate pursuit.
“We are currently working at a better, more effective approach to protect critical national infrastructure that its destruction could impacted on national security, social and economic life. So we will keep engaging all stakeholders to see if we can avoid situations like this in the future,” he said.
He hinted of the efforts at harmonising with the Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on issue of invalid and pre-activated SIMS byhaving NIN to avoid the hassles of registration.
The Commission is also working to improve the broadband penetration from its present 30 per cent just as he added that the various encumberances associated with the process has slowed down the process.
Fixed broadband requires laying of cables on acquisition of Right of Way Permits, which are controlled by State Governments. For many years, the industry has battled inordinately high charges for RoW, long delays in granting permits, and destruction of fiber cables during road constructions, incessant stop work orders.
The private sector is worst hit, as over 50% of the costs of fiber deployments go to paying taxes and charges.
NCC is currently engaging State Governors through the NEC, the Governors Forum and also licensing InfraCos to provide fiber bandwidth on an open access bases.
“We are providing an output subsidy to mitigate their costs. We expect this to start bearing fruit shortly, but the major thing is the support of the state governors. That is critical. Nigeria is a Federation of 36 States; we cannot dictate what to charge for RoW to them, we can only persuade them and hope they see the superior merit and long-term benefits of making their States receptive to telecoms infrastructure,” he added.
Comments are closed.