NCC, NigComSat sign MoU on 5G technology

This Nigerian Communications Commission and the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the takeoff of the Fifth Generation (5G) technology in Nigeria.

The MoU by the two Federal Government agencies under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy signed in Abuja is expected to lay the foundation for the acquisition of foreign spectrum suitable for the deployment of the 5G technology in the country.

NCC Board Chairman, Prof Adeolu Akande, said the time had come for the country to key into the 5G technology.

He said, “In recent times, precisely from the last quarter of 2019, several administrations have begun to license Spectrum for commercial deployment of 5G.

“As we speak today, 5G services have already been deployed in United States of America, South Korea, United Kingdom, China, South Africa, Kenya and many more.”

According to him, telecommunication evolution has led to improvement in user experience witnessed from the 2G to the 3G and later 4G.

“The global impact of 4G brought about increases in mobile usage and network performance. 5G will build on this momentum, bringing substantial network improvements, including higher connection speeds, mobility and capacity, as well as low-latency capabilities,” he added.

Speaking on the how the MoU would work for the new technology, NCC Executive Chairman, Prof. Umar Dambatta, said, “It will facilitate the release of contiguous bandwidth in one of the most suitable Frequency Spectrum band(s) for early deployment of fifth Generation Network (5G) services in the largest market in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Among the frequency spectrum bands allocated to 5G by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the C-band (3.4GHz – 3.9GHz) stands out because its balancing point between coverage and capacity provides the perfect environment for 5G connectivity.

“The C-band is most suitable and appropriate for immediate deployment of 5G services taking into consideration availability of device ecosystem with 60-70 per cent of global commercial 5G network deployment currently in the band, thus the importance of this Spectrum for early deployment of 5G services in Nigeria cannot be over emphasised.

“For optimal 5G service performance, an average of contiguous 100 MHz of spectrum in the C-band is required by an Operator. However in Nigeria, only 120 MHz of the band (3.4 – 3.52) GHz is available for mobile services while the remaining 680 MHz (3.52 – 4.2) GHz of the band is used by NigComSat (NG-1R) satellites.

“The commission initiated negotiation with NIGCOMSAT which in our estimate could make some adjustment to its satellite operation and release part of its spectrum holding in the band to facilitate the deployment of 5G in Nigeria.

“The impeccable team at NigComSat proved us right. Ladies and gentleman, permit me to use this medium to appreciate the Management of the NigComSat under the distinguished leadership of my sister – Dr. Abimbola Alale – for demonstrating that the interest of our dear country is paramount to our organisational or personal interest.

He added, “The two agencies discussed on how to relocate the operations of NG-1R to the standard C-band 300MHz (3.9GHz – 4.2GHz) potion of the band, which is more suitable in terms of Satellite service offering because end user terminal are cheaper there, while leaving the non-standard C-band 400MHz (3.5GHz – 3.9GHz) portion of the band for 5G use.”

“The cost of relocating the NG-1R is expected to be offset from the proceeds of the auction of the 5G Spectrum.

“The two agencies have developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) detailing all the aspect of this undertaking.”

NigComSat Chief Executive Dr Abimbola Alale comended the committees set by the two agencies for doing a thorough job.