Analysis II On Proposed Migration To 5G Network

By Fred Nwaozor

Few months back, sometime in August 2019, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Prof. Umar Danbatta said the agency had approved dedicated spectrum for trial deployment of the Fifth Generation (5G) network services in the country.
In his words, the boss acknowledged the evolving trends in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem, giving rise to such technologies as Internet of Things (IoT) applications and Smart cities and communities, among others, saying the NCC was well positioned to jump-start trial of the 5G deployment.
This, which was disclosed at the 4-day conference titled “Ist Digital African Week” organized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as was hosted by the NCC at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, saw Prof. Banbatta empasizing that the commission, in line with its collaboration and strategic partnership drive, had taken steps to involve members of the academia as major stakeholders in its activities towards the development of the telecom sector.
He further stressed that the recent licensing of seven infrastructural frims to deploy metro and inter-city fiber and broadband point of Access with a minimum capacity of 10Gbps across the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Nigeria, was in accordance with the “8-point agenda of the commission for the provision of ubiquitous broadband infrastructures” within the shores of the country in the “Next Level document”.
He noted that such a regulatory move was consistent with Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020, which recognizes the importance and imperative of ICT, as part of the “new world order” and catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development.
He, therefore, boasted before the audience that Nigeria had not only achieved but exceeded the 30 per cent penetration target set by the National Broadband Plan 2013-2018, stating equally that by the end of June 2019, the country’s broadband penetration stood at 33.31%.
In a related development, at the 39th Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) that held sometime in October 2019 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami stated that the country was ready to deploy 5G network across the federation to ease network flow.
The minister said Nigeria was ready for the 5G network but preparation was key, as he equally mentioned that the 5G could not be deployed across the country yet due to some gaps in citizens being unable to access the 2G, 3G and 4G networks.
He, however, acknowledged that the gaps were already there among the teeming users of the networks in Nigeria but advancement should not be delayed because some people were not yet on the same page with others.
Dr. Pantami frowned at the situation whereby Nigerians don’t believe in their local products, as he recognized that a Nigerian in the United Kingdom (UK) was the first person globally to design, build and develop first real-time 5G network dedicated to self-organized networks in the UK, using general-purpose processors.
He landed by saying “we usually fail to deploy what we produce”. According to the boss, Nigerians were so much addicted to foreign products and whenever they hear anything ‘local’, it appears to them as inferior. He thus reiterated “the perception of undermining our effort is what we need to change”.
It’s pertinent to fully comprehend the meaning and essence of the 5G network. 5G, as the acronym implies, is a 5th Generation mobile network. It is dedicated to handle much larger role than that of the already existing ones such as the 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G networks, respectively.
5G is introduced to elevate the mobile network to not only interconnect people, but equally interconnect and control machines, objects, or any form of devices. It’s meant to deliver new levels of performance and efficiency that would empower new user experiences and connect new industries.
The 5G network will deliver multi-Gbps peak rates or faster speeds, ultra-low latency, massive capacity, as well as more uniform user experience. Hence, it’s imperative to note that the 1G was designed to solely deliver analog voice, 2G for digital voice, 3G brought mobile data, whilst the 4G ushered in the era of mobile internet, which we are currently enjoying.
In summary, the 5G is a new kind of network in the telecom sector. It’s a platform for innovations that won’t only enhance today’s mobile broadband services, but would equally expand mobile networks to support a vast diversity of devices and services, as well as connect new industries with improved performance, efficiency and cost.
5G is, therefore, an advanced wireless technology that has begun wide deployment in 2019. It’s worth noting that, presently, about four million Koreans have access to the 5G network as at October 2019, with about five million expected by year end or early next year.
It’s also amazing to comprehend that China has deployed over 100,000 base stations in her quest for 5G wide usage, hence about 150 million 5G mobile subscribers are expected in the Asian country by 2020.
Since it is obvious that the 5G mobile network will soonest dominate the telecom sector, Nigeria as an entity must therefore not act in abeyance than to concentrate on how best an effective and efficient 5G network can be duly introduced into the Nigerian society.
As Nigeria, likewise other developing countries, is still trial-testing her technologies and securities towards creating and launching a wholesome environment for the awaited 5G network, she must acknowledge the key parameters needed to be considered as the concerned authorities undergo the testing process.
First, a well-designed unit comprising tested and trusted experts must be inculcated into the NCC purposely to handle all the technicalities and intricacies that need to be put in place prior to the arrival and launch of the 5G network system in the country.
Moreso, the security aspect of the preparation mustn’t be overlooked. It’s noteworthy that the wider the broadband, the more available opportunity for the criminals in the telecom sector.
Considering the above assertion, aside the already constituted law enforcement agencies in the country, there would be a compelling need to further institute a special Security Intelligence unit within the NCC, to tactically handle issues pertaining to frauds. This very proposal requires a strict legislative back-up and apt implementation.
The 5G network will operate in a high-frequency band of the wireless spectrum, between 28 Gigahertz (GH) and 60 GHz. It’s expected to add unlicensed frequencies such as the 3.5 GHz to its list of new frequencies for mobile use. This means a lot of bandwidth would be available to the teeming users.
The aforementioned merit indicates that the 5G won’t only boost ease of communication among telecom subscribers but equally expand the economic band or prospect of any country involved. Hence, the need for the Nigerian government to act fast. Think about it!


Comrade Nwaozor is the
National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
____________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com