The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has insisted that there is no correlation between 5G Technology and COVID-19, explaining that 5G is an advancement on today’s 4G technology, designed to transform the world positively.
The NCC’s explanation is coming on the heels of the recent development in which misleading materials with no proven evidence are being circulated to link Coronavirus with 5G Technology.
5G is a fifth generation of mobile technology which is an improvement on today’s 4G technology with enhanced capabilities and provides the platform for new and emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data to improve the way people live and work.
The NCC corroborated the Minister of Communications & Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami’s claim that there is no deployment of 5G in Nigeria at the moment, explaining that the Commission, back in November 2019, approved trial test for 5G for a period of three months, and the trial has since been concluded and installation decommissioned.
“The trial, among others, was to study and observe any health or security challenges the 5G network might present. Relevant stakeholders, including members of the security agencies, were invited to participate during the trial,” the NCC further explained.
NCC said it will continue to maintain its policy of technology neutrality and will continue to encourage Service Providers to deploy the best technology that will meet the needs of the society in a secured and friendly manner.
Experts say the radiation from 5G is not different from generations such as 2G, 3G, and 4G before it, as they all belong to the same class of non-ionizing radiation.
Though the NCC acknowledges that there is availability of spectrum for 5G in Nigeria, particularly the millimetre wave spectrum from 24GHz and above, it, however, said no exact time frame has been fixed for its deployment but when conditions are right and all doubts are cleared.
The Commission disclosed that 5G Spectrum allocation is the responsibility of the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) Chaired by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy as it is in the purview of the Council to allocate bulk spectrum for various services.