By TINA TIMOTHY

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that Nigeria is set to join the league of countries already utilizing part of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi -6 applications to enhance high-speed internet and advanced applications.

NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadam disclosed this while delivering a speech by the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Aminu Maida, at the Annual Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies held in Lagos on Thursday, September 19, 2024.

“It is my pleasure to welcome you to this historic event where Nigeria is set to join the league of countries already utilizing part of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi -6 applications.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am particularly glad to be associated with this process because when the Government of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed TinubuGCFR brought us on board in the year 2023, we took a decision to reposition theCommission on a path that will ensure the uptake of opportunities through ourstrategic focus areas which is driven by the recognition that each of ourstakeholders whether it is our Licensees & Industry operators, Consumers orGovernment maintains unique perspective and have certain expectations of asthe Commission,” Maida stated.

He further Identified people, collaboration data, compliance, digitalization, knowledge policies, infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship, Capital and Trade as key factors in achieving the Commission’s as well as the federal government’s objectives to enhance telecommunication service delivery in the country.

Continuing, he said: “Therefore, to accomplish our objectives in driving our strategic goals, the Commission identified some key factors, which include people, collaboration data, compliance, and Digitalization.

“Guided by our actions in the right direction and, of course, that of the FederalGovernment through the Ministers Strategic Blueprint centered around knowledgepolicies, infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship and Capital as well Trade, we have been able to set the ball rolling to enhance telecommunication service delivery in Nigeria.

“In line with one of the key factors on collaboration as outlined in our focus areas and the Commission’s traditionally institutionalized policy of participatory regulation and the practice of industry-wide consultations in conducting its regulatory functions, we are here again to elicit your comments and inputs on the use of the 6GHz for Wi-Fi – 6 and International Mobile Telecommunications (MT).”

While calling on all stakeholders for their inputs, the NCC’s EVC/CEO noted that “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” hence the need to identify other frequency bands to enhance connectivity in homes, offices, and various other environments.

He also explained that the recently concluded 2023 World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-23) allocated the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi and IMT applications with different recommendations on how to use the band.

“In line with global best practices, we sincerely believe that our actions must be guided by decisions that take into cognizance the inputs from all stakeholders in the industry. The 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 Wi-Fi plays a crucial role in the distribution of fixed broadband connectivity in homes, offices, and various other environments.

“The vast majority of home internet traffic is connected to the end-user through Wi-Fi. In 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. However, 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. It is, therefore, imperative to identify other frequency bands to complement the 5GHz and 2.4GHz,” Maida said.

“The recently concluded 2023 World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-23) allocated the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi and IMT applications with different recommendations on how to use the band. This was the outcome of a long study cycle process leading to the decision at the WRC-2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“Today, we present to you our thoughts and recommendations on the use of the Spectrum band to get your feedback for informed decision-making.

“I welcome you all and wish you a fruitful deliberations,” he added.

•PHOTO: L-R; Executive Secretary, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, Gbolahan Awonuga; Professor of Telecommunications Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Caroline Alenoghena; Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Abraham Oshadami; Public Policy Manager, Anglophone West Africa, Meta, Sade Dada; Director, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, NCC, Efosa Idehen and President, Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria, Tony Emoekpere, during a Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies hosted by the Commission in Lagos on Thursday (September 19, 2024).