Optimising Nigeria’s Telecom Spectrum – David Olufemi, IT consultant

As Nigeria continues its path toward digital transformation, optimizing the frequency spectrum, particularly for 3G, 4G, and 5G, is crucial. Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has made commendable strides in spectrum allocation. Yet, the rapidly growing demand for data-intensive applications and the urgent need for reliable emergency call services, such as 911, demand a re-evaluation of current policies and allocations said a telecom consultant with a leading multi-national.

David is an experienced telecoms and networks consultant in Radio Access Networks, Cloud, AI, ML, and core network technologies. He has led several broadband expansion projects across several African countries, notably in Malawi, Tanzania, Cameroon, and Guinea-Bissau, where he has represented his company in telecoms end-to-end implementations. He is currently building a scalable 5G/6G Observability and Analytics Platform for his company. His experience has shown that while African broadband markets share common spectrum challenges, each requires nuanced, tailored solutions to maximize coverage and efficiency.

He said that the NCC’s recent spectrum allocation initiatives have facilitated growth in mobile and internet penetration, yet there is still a lacuna in the effective spectrum-sharing policies. Spectrum, as a finite resource, necessitates efficient allocation and reuse strategies to support the burgeoning needs of consumers and industries in an increasingly connected Nigeria. The current approach to spectrum allocation for 3G, 4G, and upcoming 5G networks has leaned toward exclusive licensing, which, while securing investments from major players, inadvertently limits competition and slows innovation, especially in rural and underserved areas.

David Olufemi said countries like Japan and Germany have implemented shared spectrum models to great success. These models encourage operators to collectively use specific bands, particularly in high-demand areas, thereby increasing network density and reducing bottlenecks. He went further to say that Nigeria stands to benefit significantly from adopting a similar approach, where shared access models in specific frequency bands could boost coverage and capacity, particularly in densely populated urban centers and economically disadvantaged regions.

David’s remarks come at a critical time as Nigeria continues to face an increasingly complex demand for data throughput and VAS. His message was clear: “To fully realize the benefits of next-generation connectivity and to meet the unique needs of Nigeria’s population, spectrum policies need reform to focus on efficient usage, higher capacity for data traffic, and provisions for emergency services”. To best enhance the quality of broadband services, David suggested the following:

Dynamic Spectrum Allocation (DSA): Implementing DSA would allow frequency bands to be shared between operators based on demand, reducing wastage in low-usage times or areas. By adopting DSA, the NCC can facilitate smoother transitions between 3G, 4G, and 5G, depending on network loads. Moreover, DSA supports hybrid models where the same frequency can be used for data traffic and emergency communication, a critical feature for enabling high priority calls in times of crisis.

Another approach is Enhanced Inter-operator Spectrum Sharing: “In my experience working with RAN architectures, inter-operator sharing has been pivotal in expanding network coverage without the need for new frequency bands. The NCC could encourage mobile operators to share spectrum in specific bands, particularly for rural deployments where operators are reluctant to invest heavily. This sharing would help ensure that more Nigerians gain access to mobile and data services.” “NCC could also implement a License-exempt Spectrum for 5G in Specific Bands.

David said that while 5G promises high data speeds and low latency, its transformative potential will be unlocked by allocating additional spectrum for unlicensed use. Countries adopting unlicensed spectrum in the mmWave bands in their trial testing have seen immense improvements in network performance and innovation. Nigeria could follow this example to meet rising data demands, especially for enterprises, without overburdening the licensed spectrum.”

He added that data usage, security, and emergency communication remain top priorities. A national emergency system, such as 911, relies heavily on network availability and reliability. By earmarking certain bands exclusively for emergency calls, the NCC can guarantee that critical communication channels remain open during crises. Spectrum-sharing models that prioritize emergency services on a real-time basis can ensure the availability of bandwidth for high-priority calls without compromising regular data traffic. Network slicing, an advanced feature that will come with 5G, would allow telecom providers to create separate “slices” of the same physical network infrastructure to cater to various use cases. One slice could be dedicated to emergency services, ensuring minimal latency and maximum reliability, while other slices handle data traffic for regular users. For this to be effective, the NCC would need to mandate technical guidelines on 5G slicing for all licensed operators.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s readiness for the future, Akinola pointed to the need for continuous reforms in the telecom sector. Effective spectrum allocation reform requires a collaborative effort between the NCC, operators, and technology experts. In my work across various African and European markets, collaboration has always been the backbone of successful RAN and core technology deployments. Operators must be incentivized to invest in network-sharing frameworks, and the NCC must establish clear regulations to govern these partnerships.

He added that as Nigeria moves closer to becoming a fully connected digital society, strategic spectrum management will be key to delivering high-speed internet and robust emergency services. By adopting innovative models such as dynamic spectrum allocation, enhancing inter-operator sharing, and dedicating resources to emergency services, the NCC can create a balanced, future-ready spectrum policy. This approach will not only meet the nation’s current data demands but also lay the groundwork for a resilient and secure digital Nigeria.

David’s insights extended to the network security sector, where he believes that Nigeria faces significant cyber risks due to the growing reliance on digital communication networks. “Telecommunications infrastructure is critical for our national security, economic growth, and social well-being. An inefficient network could have a ripple effect on our economy and ultimately dwarf our hailing growth. We must fortify this sector with more secured spectrum, and advanced network encryption,” he explained.

David Olufemi’s remarks come at a critical time as Nigeria continues to face an increasingly complex network demand, broadband consumption, and an expanding cyber landscape. He emphasized that policies need to be enhanced and synergized among all agencies responsible for the communication and security of Nigeria. “Broadband demand is evolving and will continue to grow exponentially, and therefore, we must stay ahead of the demand curve by constantly implementing sustainable strategies and technologies because the future of society’s stability depends on it,” he concluded.