The Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy has revealed that it will soon deploy the Five Generation (5G) network to enhanced Internet connectivity in Nigeria.
This revelation was made known by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami when he featured on “Forum” an interview program organized by the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.
The minister explained that the conclusion to deploy the 5G network followed an outcome of thorough investigations, research, and trial absolving it of posing a security or health threat.
The minister also explained that the work on the national policy on 5G stands at 95 percent done and will be presented to the Federal Executive Council in the rightful time.
According to the minister, he said that the primary concern of the government is to ensure the security and welfare of Nigerians in their utilization of services in the telecommunications sector, blamed the delay in the deployment of the 5G network on conspiracy theories.
He said there were concerns that Covid-19 was associated with the deployment of the 5G communications network.
Also, he said “Our government is a listening one; so we listen to constructive criticisms, respect it and appreciate it and at least we value it.
“We’d reached an advanced stage of 5G, then, an issue came up that 5G was related to COVID-19; many people including the educated ones started circulating it without verification.
“Naturally, people are a bit scared and skeptical about technology.
“So we gave enough time to do more consultation, creating awareness in local languages to engage our citizens to address all the challenges.
“We set up a technical team that accommodated security, health, and environmental institutions, and the public sector so that we can be on the same page.
“I want to give you the assurance that the 5G communication network is in the pipeline.”
Pantami said that the ministry had started discussions with the Nigerian Communications Commission concerning spectrum for commercial purposes.
“From that spectrum, NCC will give it to mobile operators to start deployment; so, the policy is almost ready.
“I went to the National Assembly, I defended our presentation and they have accepted and they have also endorsed the deployment of 5G.
“They have also encouraged us to learn from other countries that have deployed 5G and we have already done that.
“The World Health Organisation has stated that there is no relationship between 5G network and COVID-19 and that addresses the health issue.
“Similarly, the International Communications Union (ICU), which is an arm of the UN, also issued another statement debunking any implications from the 5G,” Pantami said.
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