NCC promises smart cities, self-driving cars, others with 5G deployment

Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deploy 5G, indicating that the technology transcends the telecom and ICT sector and will embrace every facet of human life.

Speaking during a webinar, titled: ‘Unlocking 5G Potential in Africa’, held on StreamYard, a live streaming studio, jointly organised by Qualcomm and Forum Global, Danbatta said: “Trainings are ongoing and we are expanding the spectrum of beneficiaries, especially engineers and others who will extend knowledge to others.

“We are emphasising enhanced broadband both in the wholesale and retail segments. We will also continue to sensitise people about the usefulness of 5G and we will continue existing collaborations with sub-regional, continental and global partners to ensure we deploy 5G with effectiveness.”

Qualcomm, a creator of software and owner of patents central to 4G and 5G, is a U.S. multinational corporation, while Forum Global is the international arm of Forum Europe, which specialises in organisation of policy-focused conferences on a global scale.

Danbatta informed the audience that Nigeria has enjoyed collaborating with the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), the Africa Telecommunications Union (ATU), and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the global superintendent of telecommunications.
 
The EVC explained how to unlock the potentials of 5G, using a triangulated framework pivoted on Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Massive Machine Type Communication, and Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications. He told the enlightened audience that the above scenarios will find expressions in gigabytes in a second, robust voice and real-time digital social mediation, massive Internet of Things like smart cities and smart homes (connectedness of appliances and home security), pervasive 3D videos and Ultra High Definition screens, augmented reality, self-driving cars, industry automation, high-speed trains, lifeline and ultra-reliable communications in telemedicine and natural disasters that will deliver successful services using critical applications.
 
Danbatta also declared: “We have been working with the Federal Government to convince states of the federation to accept harmonised right of way charges of N145 per linear meter. We are talking to relevant government agencies to facilitate site acquisition, and we are conducting studies on socioeconomic impact of 5G in Nigeria.”