*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, explains the 6GHz band offers a substantial increase in available spectrum that could support the growing demand for 鈥榟igh-speed Internet and advanced applications鈥� in homes, offices, and various other settings in the country鈥檚 telecoms ecosystem

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

In a bid to support the increasing demand for high-speed Internet and advanced applications in the digital ecosystem, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed its plan to deploy the 6G spectrum to expand telecoms consumers鈥� access to Wi-Fi technology in the country.

绿帽献妻 reports Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, stated this while speaking on the efficient management and utilisation of spectrum resources at a consultative engagement forum on emerging technologies held Thursday, September 19, 2024, in Lagos.

Maida, at the forum tagged, 鈥淭he Use of 6GHz (5925-7125) MHz for Wi-Fi and IMT Applications in Nigeria鈥�, noted the aim of the stakeholder engagement was to get inputs and recommendations on how the new frequency could be used.

Rationale for introducing other frequency bands, by Maida

According to NCC, the forum held annually, serves as a veritable platform to get the support of industry stakeholders for the telecoms sector regulator鈥檚 policies.

In his opening remarks, the EVC/CEO of the Commission, represented by Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services at NCC, acknowledged the existing spectrums, including 5GHz and 2GHz, are becoming overcrowded, hence the need to introduce other frequency bands.

Dr. Maida averred: 鈥淭he 6GHz band, spanning from 5925 MHz to 7125 MHz, offers a substantial increase in available spectrum, which is crucial for supporting the growing demand for high-speed Internet and advanced applications.

鈥淲i-Fi plays a crucial role in the distribution of fixed Broadband connectivity in homes, offices, and various other environments.鈥�

He equally noted that the vast majority of home Internet traffic is connected to the end-user through Wi-Fi.

鈥淚n enterprise settings, Wi-Fi is essential for handling large amounts of data, and simultaneously, connecting large numbers of devices with improved reliability, higher data throughput, and lower latencies.

鈥淗owever, the 5GHz and 2.4GHz that are being used for Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 5) at the moment are becoming overwhelmed due to an increase in demand for capacity.

鈥淚t is, therefore, imperative to identify other frequency bands to complement the 5GHz and 2.4GHz,鈥� Maida stated.

On benefits of deployment and use of 6G spectrum

Speaking on the benefits of the deployment and use of 6GHz for Wi-Fi and IMT Applications in the Nigeria, the Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC also emphasised that the proposed frequency would increase capacity, allowing for the use of applications, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, which existing spectrums 鈥渨ill not carry.鈥�

Maida further noted: 鈥淲ith Wi-Fi 6 introduction, you have more capacity opened up for people to be able to connect and have seamless access to Wi-Fi.

鈥淎nd remember, this is unlicenced; so it is free. In the long run, it鈥檒l bring down the cost of connecting to Wi-Fi.鈥�

Caroline Alenoghena, a Professor of Telecommunications Engineering at the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, in Niger State, said the introduction of a new spectrum had become necessary to address the congestion in the current Wi-Fi frequencies in the telecoms ecosystem.

Prof. Alenoghena submitted that opening up the 6G band would create 鈥渙pportunities for start-ups to grow鈥� in terms of providing digital services for consumers.

In his remarks at the forum, Mr. Tony Emoekpere, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), also affirmed if the 6G spectrum is properly allocated, it would allow more diverse technologies to be deployed in the ecosystem.

Emoekpere also stressed this would democratise access to the urban, semi-rural, and rural areas.

The President of ATCON further said: 鈥淔oreseeable challenges are things like infrastructure requirements, the whole of investment that鈥檚 required, and competing technologies, because some of these technologies are still being developed.鈥�

According to him, the forum is a standard practice in the industry to ensure that stakeholders are consulted when new technologies, licences, and policies are being developed.

Maida: Nigeria witnessing the dawn of 6G technology

It is recalled that the Commission, in February 2024, had organised a two-day with the theme: 鈥淓volution and Future of Risk Management in the Telecommunications Industry: Harnessing Emerging Technologies and Trends鈥�, in Lagos, over speculations that the emerging technologies would pose risks to security, health and wellness, and privacy, among others.

Besides, ahead of the global adoption of the Six Generation (6G) and Seven Generation (7G) technologies, researchers and experts have identified potential risks associated with these wireless technologies based on the patterns from previous generations, according to report.

Researchers at the opening ceremony of the conference as well opined that 6G and 7G are the next-generation wireless technologies that are still undergoing development.

In his remarks at the two-day conference, Dr. Maida, represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services at NCC, further explained that the agency is already taking critical steps to reduce exposure of the country鈥檚 $75 billion telecoms industry to emerging risks.

The telecoms industry is at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, where emerging technologies and trends present both unprecedented opportunities and challenges, said the EVC/CEO of the Commission.

In terms of the inherent technological risks, Maida further observed that with technological advancement comes the responsibility to address new risks, from cybersecurity threats to ethical considerations.

The NCC Chief asserted: 鈥淲e are witnessing the dawn of 6G technology, the next frontier in wireless communication.

鈥淲ith promises of even faster speeds, lower latency, and groundbreaking applications, 6G has the potential to revolutionise the way we experience connectivity.鈥�

He as well stressed the need for the industry stakeholders to even look beyond and start contemplating the possibilities and fresh set of challenges that will also come with the 7G technology.

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