By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja –
For the second time in one month, the Nigerian government denied on Monday, insinuations that it had issued Fifth Generation (5G)mobile network licenses with the owners already deploying the mobile network in parts of the country.
Early last month, the Minister of Communications & Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, had issued a statement categorically saying no license had been issued for the deployment of 5G in the country.
Patami was reacting to the public concern about the health implications of the deployment of 5G in Nigeria.
Again, on Monday, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), unequivocally said “there is no deployment of 5G in Nigeria at the moment.”
NCC’s Director, Public Affairs, Dr. Henry Nkemadu, said in Abuja that the attention of the Commission had been drawn to “a mischievous statement making the rounds on social media like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and other sites that the Nigerian telecoms industry is going to switch on Fifth Generation (5G) in Lagos this Sunday 10th, Monday 11th or Tuesday 12th May 2020.”
“The statement from the faceless individuals or groups cannot be further from the truth,” Nkemadu said.
He explained that the NCC, back in November 2019, approved trial test for 5G for a period of three (3) months and the trial has been concluded and installation decommissioned.
He quoted Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, as having said ‘’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 rest of the statement by Dr. Nkemadu reads:
“The NCC 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.
“The NCC had provided clarifications through Frequently Asked Questions on 5G in view of the recent developments in which misleading materials with no proven evidence are being circulated to link CORONAVIRUS or COVID-19 with 5G technology and therefore refutes the claim that there will be switching on of 5G in Lagos in its entirety.
“The Commission also provided clarifications on the laying of fibre optic cables within Lagos and other parts of the country to the effect that the laying of additional fibre optic cables is to strengthen the existing 3G and 4G infrastructure to provide robust and pervasive telecoms infrastructure to improve network performance.
“5G is a fifth generation of mobile technology, which is an improvement of today’s 4G technology with enhanced capabilities. 5G technology provides the platform for new and emerging technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data to improve the way we live and work.”
It also recalled that Danbatta had earlier said: “NCC has not issued any licence for 5G in Nigeria and therefore, the mobile network operators (MNOs) cannot switch on such technology. NCC is technology-neutral. As such, we don’t license technology but assigns spectrum to operators for deployment of any service when allocated by National Frequency Management Council (NFMC).
‘’As the telecoms regulator, we enjoin Nigerians to get accurate information from us rather than relying on information emanating on social media by some individuals out of ignorance to misinform our people.”
The minister’s statement on April 4, 2020, came amid a video that was trending at the time on the social media in which Senator Dino Melaye claims that the 5G network is responsible for the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives across the globe, including Nigeria.
Melaye, the controversial politician from Kogi state, had in the video, also alleges that indeed, 5G has been deployed in the highbrow Maitama District of Abuja and Ikeja in Lagos state.
He urged the Nigerian government to immediately demobilize the 5G technology, saying that coronavirus is being caused the human cells coming in contact with 5G.
But Patami in a statement issued in Abuja, argued that based on available records at his office and the earlier report received from the regulator, “the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), of which I am the Chairman, has not deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G.”
He further said:
“A 3-month study trial commenced on the 25th of November, 2019 in order to critically review and study the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria;
“As part of the study trial process, I directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that a team of experts, security agencies and other stakeholders fully participate in the trial process and my office also invited these agencies to participate in the trial; and
“The trial process has been concluded and the study and reporting process is currently ongoing.
“His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, places a premium on the welfare, health and security of Nigerians. As such, our desire for technological advancement will never be at the expense of the health and welfare of our citizens.
“Government will not act on the speculations only, but rather we will take an informed decision on 5G after due consultation with experts and the public. I have also directed the NCC to engage citizens on any questions or concerns they may have regarding 5G.
“I wish to thank the general public for reaching out to us on this issue. We advise you all to remain rest assured that government will always take the welfare, health and security of the public into account while considering the deployment of any technology.”