Chairman, Board of Commissioners at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof.Adeolu Akande has said that the commercial launch of 5G network in Nigeria will increase the momentum of mobile usage and network performance brought by 4G and others.
“5G will build on the momentum brought by 4G, 3G and 2G, bringing substantial network improvements, including higher connection speeds, mobility and capacity, as well as low-latency capabilities,” he asserted.
Akande who made the assertion in a speech he delivered at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that these various networks and technology platforms have from inception till date led to improvement in user experience, stressing that the global impact of 4G brought about increases in mobile usage and network performance.
He expressed confidence that when 5G is commercially launched in Nigeria, it will enable new use cases and applications that will positively impact different sectors and improve efforts towards achieving Digital Economies.
According to him, 5G does not only offer enhanced broadband and ultra-low, ultra-reliable latency communications but also provides massive machine-type communications, where a lot of devices will seamlessly connect and independently interact with the internet without human intervention, thus enabling several Smart City initiatives.
Speaking further, the NCC Chairman who noted that spectrum plays a critical role in realising the full extent of 5G capabilities, commended NigComSat and NCC for the bold step in the right direction to release contagious quantum of Spectrum in the 3.5GHz band for early deployment of 5G.
He also commended the efforts of the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta and his counterpart the Managing Director (MD) of NigComSat Ms. Abimbola Alale for making an informed decision in the national interest which will consequently foster the deployment of 5G and enable Nigeria tap its full potential.
Prof. Akande enthused that the collaboration will ensure synergy amongst agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy.