L-R: Engr. Oluwatoyin Asaju, Director, Spectrum Administration, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Mr. Hadi Muhammad, Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT); Mr. Adeleke Adewolu, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC; Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC; Chief Uche Onwude, Member, NCC Board of Commissioners; Dr. Abimbola Alale, Managing Director, NIGCOMSAT; Prof Abdu Bambale, Executive Director, Technical, NIGCOMSAT, and Engr. Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Fifth Generation (5G) spectrum on Wednesday in Abuja.
Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta on Wednesday said that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NCC and the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited for the deployment of 5G services across Nigeria will facilitate the release of contiguous bandwidth in one of the most suitable Frequency Spectrum bands for early deployment of fifth Generation Network (5G) services in the largest market in sub-Saharan Africa.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Wednesday, 5th May, 2021 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited for the deployment of 5G services across Nigeria[T1] .
5G Technology provides the platform for new and emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data to improve the way we live and work.
“The two agencies have been in discussions on how to relocate the operations of NG-1R to the standard C-band 300MHz (3.9GHz – 4.2GHz) portion of the band, which is more suitable in terms of Satellite service offering because end user terminal are cheaper there, while leaving the non-standard C-band 400MHz (3.5GHz – 3.9GHz) portion of the band for 5G use. The cost of relocating the NG-1R is expected to be offset from the proceeds of the auction of the 5G Spectrum’’, Danbatta said.
At the ceremony, Danbatta reiterated that amongst the Frequency Spectrum bands allocated to 5G by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU, the C-band (3.4GHz – 3.9GHz) stands out because its balancing point between coverage and capacity provides the perfect environment for 5G connectivity.
He stressed that the C-band is most suitable and appropriate for immediate deployment of 5G services taking into consideration availability of device ecosystem with 60-70% of global commercial 5G network deployment currently in the band, thus the importance of this Spectrum for early deployment of 5G services in Nigeria cannot be over emphasized.
“For optimal 5G service performance, an average of contiguous 100 MHz of spectrum in the C-band is required by an Operator. However in Nigeria, only 120 MHz of the band (3.4 – 3.52) GHz is available for mobile services while the remaining 680 MHz (3.52 – 4.2) GHz of the band is used by NigComSat (NG-1R) satellites,’’ he explained.
The EVC said that the Commission initiated negotiation with NIGCOMSAT whom in its estimate could make some adjustment to its satellite operation and release part of its Spectrum holding in the band to facilitate the deployment of 5G in Nigeria.
He commended the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Dr. Abimbola Alale for demonstrating that the interest of Nigeria is paramount to NCC organizational or personal interest.
In his own remark, the Chairman Board of Commissioners, Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Adeolu Akande, said that Telecommunication evolution from inception to date has led to improvement in user experience witnessed from 2G, 3G and later 4G.
Akande added that the global impact of 4G brought about increases in mobile usage and network performance. 5G will build on this momentum, bringing substantial network improvements, including higher connection speeds, mobility and capacity, as well as low-latency capabilities.
“In doing so, it enables new use cases and applications that will positively impact different sectors and improve efforts towards achieving Digital Economies. It does not only offer enhanced broadband and ultra-low, ultra-reliable latency communications but also provide 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, Prof. Adeolu Akande explained.
The NCC Chairman commended the efforts of the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/CEO of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta and his counterpart, the Managing Director(MD) of NigComSat, Ms. Abimbola Alale for taking an informed decision in the national interest which will consequently foster the deployment of 5G and enable Nigeria tap its full potential.
Responding, Dr. Abimbola Alale, thanked all the critical stakeholders who facilitated the signing of the MoU.