The federal government has approved the National Policy on Fifth Generation (5G) Network for Nigeria, with immediate effect.

Dr Femi Adeluyi, Technical Assistant on Information Technology to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Adeluyi emphasised that the 5G policy implementation would take immediate effect.

He explained that the national policy took a period of two years to develop because of the need for extensive stakeholders’ engagement and the need to ensure adequate public awareness and sensitisation.

He added that the stakeholders’ engagement was thorough and multi-sectoral in nature, adding that it also took into account the report of the three-month 5G trials that began on November 25, 2019.

Mr Adeluyi noted that the report critically reviewed and studied the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria.

According to him, the WHO and the International Telecommunications Union, an organ of the United Nations, confirmed that deployment of 5G networks leaves no adverse health effects.

“5G networks offer significant advantages over current technologies. Some of its advantages include much lower latency, higher bandwidth, greater device density, longer battery life for nodes and greater network flexibility.

“Several countries have already started the deployment of 5G and are enjoying its benefits.  These countries include the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, South Africa and Lesotho, to mention a few.

“The National Frequency Management Council, chaired by Pantami, will soon release spectrum to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for Mobile Network Operators that meet all the required conditions.

“The NCC, as the regulator of the telecommunications sector, will continue engaging stakeholders with a view to developing the regulatory instruments required for the successful deployment of the new technology in Nigeria,’’ Mr Adeluyi added. 

A UK-based technical services company, Prolifics Testing, had in a report published by Peoples Gazette in February, said Nigeria ranks among countries with the most scepticism for the deployment of 5G Internet network.

Nigerian evangelical leaders such as Pastor Chris Oyakhilome have also voiced their criticisms to the ultrafast connection, consequently drawing fines from UK broadcast regulator, Ofcom.

Nigeria has the least affordable internet service in the world, per a Surfshark report in February.

(NAN)