Olufemi Adeyemi
NCC highlighted the necessity of transitioning to the 6GHz spectrum due to the excessive utilization of the existing 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands, which are currently employed for Wi-Fi 5. These bands are becoming increasingly congested as demand for capacity continues to rise.
A significant portion of home internet traffic is routed to end-users via Wi-Fi, which is crucial for managing substantial data volumes and connecting numerous devices simultaneously with enhanced reliability, increased data throughput, and reduced latency.
During the forum, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, represented by Abraham Oshadami, the Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, emphasized, “In line with global best practices, we sincerely believe that our actions must be guided by decisions that take into cognisance the inputs from all stakeholders in the industry.
“The 6GHz band, spanning from 5925 MHz to 7125 MHz, offers a substantial increase in available spectrum, which is crucial for supporting the growing demand for high-speed internet and advanced applications Wi-Fi plays a crucial role in the distribution of fixed broadband connectivity in homes, offices, and various other environments.”
He stated that the current 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands utilized for Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 5) are becoming overloaded due to rising demand for capacity. He emphasized the necessity of exploring additional frequency bands to support the existing 5GHz and 2.4GHz options.
“The recently concluded 2023 World Radio communications Conference (WRC-23) allocated the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi and IMT applications with different recommendations on how to use the band,” Maida further said.
In his opening remarks, Atiku Lawal, the Acting Head of Spectrum Administration at NCC, noted that the congested airwaves are currently hindering the capabilities of Wi-Fi in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. He emphasized that it is not surprising that over 70 countries have either taken action or are contemplating measures to make the 6GHz band available for unlicensed Wi-Fi usage.
“Depending upon the country’s implementation plan, the decision will provide two to three times the quantum of spectrum available today, resulting in the ability to implement 80MHz and 160 MHz channels being available for the new Wi-Fi 6 standard, ideal to support digital transformation efforts and use cases like high definition video and X Reality (XR),” Lawal said.
In his keynote speech, Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, the President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), emphasized that the forum presents a crucial opportunity to enhance Nigeria's standing in the realm of emerging technologies.
“As stakeholders, it is our shared responsibility to ensure that the decisions taken at the forum will benefit not only our industry, but also the people of Nigeria by enabling greater connectivity, more inclusive growth and enhanced digital innovation,” Emoekpere said.
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of ALTON, Mr. Gbolahan Awonugu, stated that “We need to do the needful in proving necessary support for the sector.
“The industry should be supported. We are going into the era of emerging technologies to deploy the 6GHz and this is a serious business.”
Several industry stakeholders, including Meta and Huawei Technologies, who presented at the forum, emphasized the importance of spectrum sharing and the necessity for Nigerian operators to obtain approval for the L6/7/8 GHz microwave transmission spectrum upon application.