The National Policy on Fifth Generation (5G) Networks for Nigeria’s Digital Economy (“the policy”) offers a roll-out plan which seeks to ensure that all major cities across the country benefit from 5G. The adoption of 5G technologies is intended to improve access to services in the digital economy and to sign post Nigeria as a more attractive hub for foreign investors. The implementation plan is to be overseen by the Nigerian Communications Commission (“NCC”). The policy was approved by the Federal Executive Council on September 8, 2021. The policy was approved following a trial phase and extensive stakeholder engagement. Following the preliminary trials in November 2019, the trial reports were studied by stakeholders to better understand the effects of deploying 5G in Nigeria including the health and security implications. The reports of leading international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and other advisory bodies within the United Nations, all affirm that the deployment of 5G would not lead to adverse health effects in the Nation.
Some of the significant benefits of 5G include:
- Reduced latency or in simple terms, the time it takes to transfer data from its original source to its destination,
- Higher bandwidth which allows greater storage and transfer of data.
- Greater device density.
- Longer battery life for nodes; and
- Greater network flexibility.
5G networks can positively improve different industries in Nigeria including but not limited to agriculture, manufacturing, education, healthcare, and transportation. Some nations that have deployed 5G include South Africa, United States of America, United Kingdom, China, and Lesotho. The policy seeks to create the enabling environment in which 5G can be deployed.
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 ALP Review on Fifth Generation (5G) Network for Nigeria’s Digital Economy....pdf | 1.5 MB |