The wide channel spectrum chosen for Nigeria’s 5G deployment will deliver high-speed data transmission, the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE) says.
At $273,600,000 apiece, Mafab Communications Ltd and MTN Nigeria Plc emerged winning bidders of two bouquets of 3.5GHz band auctioned in December last year by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the deployment of 5G service in the country.
NCC’s choice of such wide channel bandwidth is required to deliver the multi-Gbps data speed required of a 5G network, Engr. Kings Adeyemi, outgoing NIEEE National Chairman, was quoted to have stated this by the Engineering body in a statement made available to Technology Times by NCC.
NIEEEE on 5G Spectrum And Safety Concerns
Commending the in-house professionals within the Commission for the choice of 3.5 – 3.6 GHz and 3.7 – 3.8GHz, Adeyemi says that frequencies in the range 3.3 – 4.2 GHz (3GPP Band 78) are being used as the basis for the first implementations of 5G across the world.
“It is technically proven, Adeyemi says, “that wider channels lower network density which ripples into lowering the cost of 5G services to consumers. Other advantages include less base stations sites and lower environmental impact. The 3.5 GHz band is the best choice to balance capacity and network coverage which in turn encourages operators to commit investment in 5G infrastructure.”
While also hinting at concerns that have been raised over the possible interference of the 5G spectrum band on aviation signals, the Engineering body’s chief says that the NCC’s “decision allays the fear of 5G services interfering with the aircraft operations as currently exercised in some countries. NCC’s choice on the 3.5 GHz band has sufficiently safeguarded civil aircraft altimeters which usually operate between 4.2 – 4.4 GHz range.”
NIEEE commended the NCC leadership for setting the pace of 5G deployment in Africa when Adeyemi saying Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, NCC Executive Vice Chairman and the management staff of the Commission deserve accolades.
“Major requirements for 5G journey include spectrum availability, investor-friendly regulatory policy and stakeholders’ awareness, Adeyemi adds, noting that NCC “engaged relevant stakeholders ahead of the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of the Development of a Policy for Deployment of 5G in Nigeria.”
According to him, “NCC demonstrated high-level qualities of a world-class regulator indeed by setting the wheel of 5G in motion, from 5G Proof of Concept (PoC) trial in 2019 to the recently successful auction of 5G spectrum on 3.5GHz band.”
For Adeyemi, “this remarkable landmark achievement was attained by NCC at a time when COVID-19 pandemic continues to force the postponement of many highly anticipated 5G spectrum auctions throughout the world.”
According to the NIEEE chief, “from expert’s perspective, the choice of two (2) slots of 100 MHz (TDD) bandwidth each on 3.5 GHz band (precisely 3GPP Band 78) is a highly laudable choice to launch a 5G network.”
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