NCC to auction 5G spectrum by fourth quarter of 2021 — Danbatta
By Ogaga Ariemu
The Nigerian Communi cations Commission (NCC), is to auction 5G spectrum by the fourth quarter of 2021.
This was disclosed by the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, in his address at International Conference on Engineering and Applied Sciences at Nile University, on Thursday in Abuja.
Prof. Danbatta, represented by Director of Technical Standard,NCC Bako Wakil noted that for the process of the allocation auctioning, assigning, and commercialization of 5G spectrum to be seamless and successful; government must provide the enabling environment.
“The Federal Government will provide an enabling environment for 5G deployment, but the MNOs will determine their own deployment.
“Strategies subject to alignment to the approved polices and other regulatory instruments in force. Securing spectrum for 5G is an antecedent for any Operator to commit serious investment to 5G infrastructure. This makes it imperative for the spectrum allocation and assignment process to be concluded as early as possible.
“In this regard, the following timeline is proposed as optimal in the policy document: 5G Spectrum Allocation (Q2 2021); 5G Spectrum Auction (Q4 2021); 5G Spectrum Assignment (Q1 2022); Commercialization of 5G Spectrum (Q4 2022).
“The Federal Government will provide an enabling environment for 5G deployment, but the MNOs will determine their own deployment Strategies subject to alignment to the approved polices and other regulatory instruments in force. Securing spectrum for 5G is an antecedent for any Operator to commit serious investment to 5G infrastructure.
“This makes it imperative for the spectrum allocation and assignment process to be concluded as early as possible.”
According to him researches and tests have been carried out on the hazardous impact of electromagnetic emitions from 5G and that they are far below the minimum reqiured standard.
“The plan to deploy 5G technology creates need tor the study of the electromagnetic radiation levels which would be generated by the 5G infrastructure. These tests were conducted in accordance with the International CommissIon on Non-lonizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines for general public exposure to time varying electromagnetic fields.
“The results of the test show that radiation from 5G infrastructure is far below the ICNIRP specification for protection of members of the public and therefore suggest that no public health hazards are expected from the use of 5G in Nigeria,” he said.
“Scientific evidence from studies carried out by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the United Nation Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) all show that exposure to radio frequencies are safe and does not cause or initiate the occurrence of cancers,” he added.
He believes that 5G will digitalize Nigeria and greatly impact on the economy.
“We are hopeful that, the 5G revolution will transform our nation and the economy digitally and become a developmental revolution as well as digital transformation tools, reaching out and bringing benefits to everyone everywhere. Indeed, 5G is a catalyst for Digital Transformation in Nigeria and around the world.”
Earlier in his remarks, Vice Chancellor Nile University Nigeria, Professor Osman Nuri Aras explained that the aim of the Conference is to provide an enabling platform for researchers, professionals and students in the industry, across various fields in Engineering and Applied Sciences to share their current research works and exchange ideas.
He noted that, “This will form collaborations for the advancement of knowledge, technology and multidisciplinary research. We are in an era which has shaped our lives in such a way that our major concerns are contributions to the well-being of others, presently and in the time to come.”
Prof. Arsa affirmed that there is no doubt, that these concerns are the foundation on which the theme and sub-themes of this conference are built upon. This is the key driver of our conference theme: “We look forward to building synergies and collaborations.”
“The outcomes of this conference will therefore have no meaning unless they reach the end users or put to practical use. Otherwise, we shall have volumes and volumes of knowledge, some on our shelves, and others on the internet without any consumer.
“Many academicians have become aware of this tact as the number of conferences and participants increase dramatically.”
Prof. Steve Adeshina of the Nile University, who was also the Chairman of the Conference, explained that the conference was in collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences.
Speaking further, Adeshina that the conference would provide an enabling platform for students, researchers and professionals in the industry to come together and share views on current research work for the advancement of knowledge, technology and multidisciplinary research.
