CEM Report, Lagos
The Nigerian Communication Commission has commenced development of policy framework for the deployment of the Fifth Generation (5G) technology in Nigeria.
The NCC made this known in a notice posted on the commission website Wednesday.
In pursuance of the commission’s mandate to prepare and implement programs and plans that promote and ensure the development of the communication industry in Nigeria, the commission commenced the development of the policy having assessed the benefit the technology will impact on the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
“Further to this mandate, the commission consider that the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) technology will be beneficial to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.”
The commission explained on the notice that “the technology is an advancement of existing mobile technology (2G – 4G) with advanced capabilities providing new and advanced mobile communication services.”
Advancement highlighted on the notice include Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Drones, Advanced Communication System, Cloud, 3D Printing, Mixed Reality, Simulation/Imaging and Gamification.
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These are expected to bring improvement to virtually every sector of the economy. Therefore the deployment of the technology will promote the Nigerian Digital Economy for digital Nigeria.
With regard to safety which has drawn so much concern, the commission noted that 5G technology has been deployed commercially in some countries and have been found safe for humans
“As with previous technology, the International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has classified radiation from 5G as non-ionizing and therefore safe for human beings”, NCC wrote
Based on the Proof of Concept (trial) carried out between November 2019 and February 2020 with MTN in six locations, the Commission found improvement of 5G over previous technologies with radiation level well below the specified human safety guidelines.
However the successful trial, the Commission plans to involve public enquiries in the development of the policy
