The Nigerian Communications Commission has not issued any license for Fifth Generation Network also known as 5G in Nigeria to be used. Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman, made this response because there were reports making rounds on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp and other platforms that telecommunication industries in Nigeria would switch to 5G network on the 10th of May, 11th of May, or 12th of May, 2020.
Danbatta stated that the network has not been deployed in Nigeria and therefore, it can not be switched on cause NCC is technology neutral. In November 2019, a trial test was approved for three months and it was concluded but the installation did not take place.
He also said that the trial was to study and observe if there would be any health or security challenges that the network might present. Members of the security agencies were invited to take part in the trial.
The policy of technology neutrality will be encouraged so also will service providers be deployed so that technology will meet the needs of the society in a secured and friendly manner.
NCC has made provision for clarifications through the Frequently Asked Questions on 5G due to misleading materials such as, why Covid-19 or Coronavirus is linked to 5G technology and it has therefore refuted claims 5G will be switched on in Lagos.
Clarifications has also been made on laying of fibre optic cables within Lagos and other parts of the country with the belief that it will strengthen the existing 3G and 4G infrastructure to provide robust telecoms infrastructure which will improve network performance.
5G is a fifth generation of mobile technology, an improvement of 4G technology with enhanced capabilities.
It provides platforms for new and emerging technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data to improve the way we live and work.
NCC assigns spectrum to operators for deployment of any service when allocated by National Frequency Management Council (NFMC). They give Nigerians accurate information rather than rely on information from social media.