Why 6GHz Band offers increase in available spectrum – Maida
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
Omeiza Bilal
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, says 6GHz band will offers a significant increase in available spectrum that is crucial for supporting growing demand for high-speed internet and advanced applications.
The NCC EVC also said that Wi-Fi plays a key role in the distribution of fixed broadband connectivity in homes, offices, and various other environments.
Dr Maida, who stated these Thursday in Lagos, at the Annual Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies, noted that 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.
The NCC EVC who was represented by Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Mr Abraha Oshadami, however said 5GHz and 2.4GHz that are being used for Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 5) at the moment is being overwhelmed due to increased demand for capacity.
He said that it is therefore, imperative to identify other frequency bands to complement the 5GHz and 2.4GHz.
The NCC EVC 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.
Dr Maida further said that this was the outcome of a long study cycle process leading to the decision at the WRC-2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Commenting on the set goals of the NCC management team, Dr Maida said he was particularly glad to be associated with the process, saying that when the Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought he and others on board in the year 2023, they took a decision to reposition the Commission on a path that will ensure the uptake of opportunities through their strategic focus areas which is driven by the recognition that each of NCC’s stakeholders whether it is Licensees & Industry operators, Consumers or Government, maintains unique perspective and have certain expectations of as the Commission.
In his words; “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 Federal Government through the Ministers Strategic Blueprint cantered around knowledge policies, 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),” he added.
