The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has started a consultation process to deploy 5G network in commercial scale across the country
The Public Affairs Director of the NCC, Mr. Henry Nkemadu, disclosed this in a public notice on Thursday.
According to the notice, the deployment of 5G technology in the country will promote the National Digital Economy for a Digital Nigeria that will improve the way Nigerians live and work.
Nkemadu stated that as with previous technologies, the International Commission for Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has classified radiation from 5G as non-ionizing, and therefore safe for human beings.
Following global trends in telecommunications development of 5G, the NCC in November 2019 embarked on a trial of the technology with MIN in six locations using different equipment vendors for a period of three months.
According to NCC, relevant stakeholders including members of the security agencies were involved in the trial, and that the equipment used in the trials have long been decommissioned in all the locations.
The Commission stated further that the trial was conducted to enable the Commission assess the performance of the technology in comparison with existing technologies, evaluate compliance with health and safety guidelines and also use the lessons leant to guide policy towards commercial deployment.
A consultative document, the agency further said, is currently being developed towards this end, which will be shared with stakeholders and the public in due course.
“In view of the successful completion of the trial and a directive from the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, the Commission commenced the development of a policy for the deployment of 5G in Nigeria.
“In line with its powers under section 57 of the NCA, and the need for wide public consultation, the process of developing this policy will involve a Public Inquiry, which will involve all relevant Stakeholders in the review and consultation process.
“The Consultative Document is currently being developed and will be shared with these stakeholders and the general public, following which a Stakeholder Consultative Forum will be held. The views of all stakeholders will be considered in the final Policy.
“Accordingly, the details of the proposed public consultation will be widely published in due course. 5G will not be deployed in Nigeria until the Policy is concluded and approved,” the public notice reads.