The Minister of Communication Dr. Isa Pantami has announced that Nigeria is ready to deploy 5G network to facilitate communication.
Dr. Pantami made this known in Dubai on Monday at the ongoing 39th Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) in Dubai the United Arab Emirates.
GITEX is a global technology exhibition that brings together over 200,000 trade visitors, investors, innovators, IT experts, countries, Information Communication Technology startups from over 145 countries of the world, to share trends of ICT and ways of advancing technology innovations.
5G delivers very high speed Network, increased capacity, lower latency.
According to the minster “ Nigeria is ready for 5G network but preparation is key. We are ready but need deployment and before that we need pre-deployment and post-deployment”.
“We are working to handle the challenges of pre-deployment but the approval has been given for the trial”.
“Nigeria is not yet into the 5G network deliberately. Some of the telecom operators are ready to deploy the 5G network but the proposal was put on hold, so we can be productive and proactive”
“There could be potential challenges that could obstruct 5G network, which include regulations. You cannot just rush into it without preparing your ground,’’ he said.
The minister added that, there are agencies that are being engaged to ensure seemless network flow such as the Economic and Financial Crime Commission(EFCC), National Intelligence Agency, the Nigeria Police and many others.
The minister also said that regulations are equally being fine tuned.
With the inability of the citizens to have access to 2G, 3G and 4G networks, the 5G will have to hold on for a while.
“At the pace we are moving, some places do not even have 2G, there are over 200 cluster areas in the country and with this you cannot say we can move to 5G when some people are yet to access 2G, 3G”.
“The gaps are already there, it is not a new one but you cannot delay advancement because other people are not benefiting, what we should do is to bridge the gap.’’
The minister added “Nigeria is not doing badly in technology, however, patriotism and confidence in indigenous products and services was lacking”.
Pantami had this to say ” you will recall that a Nigerian in the UK was the first person globally to develop, build and design first real time 5G network dedicated to self-organised networks in the UK , using general purpose processors.
Our sources gathered that Nigeria Postal Service, Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited, Nigeria Petroleum Exchange Commission, Petroleum Equalisation Fund Management Board are some agencies representing the country at GITEX
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