NCC speaks on alleged switching on of 5G network in Lagos

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC) has dissociated itself from the statement making the round that Nigerian Telecoms industry will switch on 5G network in Lagos either or Sunday 10th, Monday 11th or Tuesday 12th May 2020.

In a statement, Director, Public Affairs, (NCC) Dr. Henry Nkemadu debunked the allegation, stressing that the Commission has unequivocally stated that there is no deployment of 5G in Nigeria at the moment.

According to him, the NCC back in November 2019 approved trial test for 5G for a period of three (3) months and that the trial has been concluded and installation decommissioned

“Professor 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’ “, he quoted the EVC to have said.

He said 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.

Nkemadu said the NCC had provided clarifications on 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”.

He alluded to the fact that the Commission also provided clarifications on the laying of fibre optic cables within Lagos and other parts of the country to the effect that the laying of additional fibre optic cables is to strengthen the existing 3G and 4G infrastructure to provide robust and pervasive telecoms infrastructure to improve network performance.

He explained that 5G is a 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.

‘’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 National Frequency Management Council (NFMC).

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