By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Senators have approved for Nigeria to deploy 5G network, the latest cutting edge gizmo that expands broadband with faster connectivity already up and running in tech advanced nations in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
The lawmakers gave their nod after they considered the report of the Joint Committee on Communications, Science and Technology, ICT and Cyber Crimes, and Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases.
They insisted that “COVID-19 pandemic is caused by a biological agent, a virus which is scientifIcally unconnected with 5G technology.”
The Senate adopted the recommendations presented by Committee Chairman, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos Central), which canvassed that 5G tech will revolutionise life, from education and agriculture to security, entertainment, and governance.
She said the recommendations were based on information provided by government and private establishments which included
· Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy
· Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
· Office of the National Security Adviser
· National Information Technology Development Agency
· Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON)
· Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON)
· Global System of Mobile Communications Association
Public enlightenment
The committee recommended that Nigeria should observe the trend of 5G deployments around the world and sensitise the public before its take off.
In its approval, the Senate urged government agencies to prepare infrastructure and technology for the deployment.
“This period of ground preparation is expected to be utilised to complete feasibility studies for the various broadband projects in order to ascertain actual cost implications for their implementation, complete sustainability plans, provide enabling environment including free Right of Way (ROW) and tax waivers,” the Senate said.
It added that the feasibility should also include “sustainable power supply, improve security of men, materials and equipment, eliminate multiple regulations and charges, recognise telecommunications infrastructure as public utility infrastructure, and engender public trust and confidence.”
Learning from other countries
The Senate implored the government to ensure that global standards for 5G tech are adhered to and learn from countries that have deployed it.
“Lessons from South Korea, the first country with substantial deployment would be instructive in this regard.
“It is imperative that intense safety standards and precaution, based on available evidence, are put in place for wireless radiation system ahead of wide scale implementation.”
Other approvals by the Senate include
· The Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy should develop Consultation Document (CD) for the deployment of 5G, such as planning spectrum, with input from all stakeholders, including lawmakers and security agencies.
· The ministry should publish the report of its Technical Advisory Committee on emerging technologies and products.
· The ministry should build the National Backbone which will run from Lagos to Katsina (Trans-Saharan Optic fibre network) to move much of the bandwidth from the shore to the hinterland and for distribution to the six zones.
· The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) should conduct scientific study for about six months to ascertain if a correlation exists between 5G network and public health.
· To do this, the NCC should collaborate with the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Ministry of Health, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Environment, and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), among others.
