Telecom
eBusiness Life Takes A Deeper Look At the 5G Technology and What it Holds for Nigeria At 5G/GSM @20 Forum
As Nigeria is celebrating 20 years of deployment of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and the Federal Government has set in motion the deployment of the fifth generation (5G) technology, significant changes will introduced to existing standards, leading to the emergence of a new generation of mobile network (G).
Vice President at DigiVation Network, Mr. Hilary Damissah, and panelists made up of the Publisher, eWorldNews, Mr. Aaron Ukodie; Editor, ICT Desk at ThisDay Newspapers, Mr. Emma Okonji; Executive Secretary of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Ajibola Olude; and Chief Project Manager, Digital Encode Limited, Simileoluwa Oyediji, who represented the Founder/COO , Digital Encode Limited, Dr. Obadara Peter Adewale.
e-Business Life Communication Limited recently held its 5G/GSM@20 forum at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos Nigeria on Friday, November 5, 2021.
Speaking on the theme of the forum, “Setting the Stage for 5G Journey – Requirements, Deployment and Challenges”, the Keynote Speaker, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, spoke of the successes recorded in the 20 years of GSM evolution, and enumerated the need for 5G technology in the country.
The EVC, represented by the Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity (DTSNI) at NCC, Engineer Wakil Bako, said that before the 5G wheel is set in motion, certain milestones are expected in place and like other countries, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is setting the stage for 5G roll-out in Nigeria.
From telegraphic submarine cable connecting Lagos to London in 1886 till date, Nigeria has experienced various telecommunication technologies and telecoms industry has become a formidable arm of the economy, so strong to boost the GDP and bring the country out of recession.
Tracing the evolution of generation of mobile network from 0G to 4G and now 5G, the EVC defined 5G as new global wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G networks and was designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together.
Danbatta, said that the new technology is meant to deliver higher multi-GDPs peak data speed at ultra-low latency; more reliable and massive network capability.
He said that consumers should expect higher performance and improved efficiency in user experience and connection to new industries.
He however, listed 5G requirements from the administrative angle to include; availability of adequate spectrum, regulatory policy, stakeholders awareness programme, conducive atmosphere for investments and reasonable regulatory charges.
Expatiating further on the need for 5G, the EVC said it will lead to huge boom in mobile usage, stressing that the huge growth of wireless network equipment and machines with communication-enabled capabilities attest to this fact.
“Already, over 22 billion IoT devices already connected as at 2018 and expected to reach 100 billion connections by 2030. Technology is no longer rated by speed but by latency (instant response) and 5G was designed for massive intelligent connectivity of things. 3G and 4G networks cannot meet these demands. So, 5G is to meet the demands that 4G, 3G and 2G cannot provide, particularly in areas of latency and massive connections”.
He also disabused the minds of telecom consumers who thought 2G, 3G and 4G must give way for 5G; adding that 5G will co-exist with its predecessor generation of wireless networks. “In most parts of the world, successor generation of mobile networks does not supplant, until when it becomes very necessary to decommission the oldest generation network”.
With specific focus on challenges to 5G deployment he said that in other to fiberize the towers/base stations, the issue of Right-of-Way (RoW) must be well addressed; also inflation and increasing exchange rates should be addressed; and subjecting the barrage of IoT devices to Type Approval process within limited timeframe should be considered.
“The current tower capacity of 1 Gbps (for 2G to 4G services) does not match the 20 Gbps peak speed required for 5G. This calls for the urgent need to increase fiberization of network, and the reliable energy supply to power the base stations.”
Despite the challenges, Prof. Danbatta said that 5G was designed to meet the very large growth in data and connectivity needs of today’s society, the IoT with billions of connected devices, and future innovations.
With regards to the proof of concept post-trial of 5G in Nigeria, he said that relevant stakeholders such as the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (MoC&DE), security agencies, operators, equipment vendors and others have been engaging on the modalities for 5G deployment in the country.
“Auction committee for 5G is also developing deployment plan. Federal Executive Council approved 5G network deployment policy for Nigeria at its recent meeting; 500MHz of spectrum in the 3.5GHz band identified for 5G NSA; 5 Slots of 100MHz planned (3.4GHz – 3.9GHz); 2 Slots already earmarked for auction with reserved price of $197.4m per slot and Auction planned for December 13, 2021”.
Concluding his keynote speech, the EVC said that every new technology comes with improvement with far better capabilities and efficiencies over the previous version adding that 5G comes with better capacities and efficiencies over the previous generations.
“Electromagnetic radiation emission rom 5G networks are far safer than preceding generations of mobile network. 5G networks will provide enormous economic benefits to the citizens by providing more jobs opportunities, creative and innovations.
“We recognize the need for sensitization of the public before deployment of 5G in the country. The support of the NASS is highly desirable and critical”.
The EVC said that despite the challenges, 5G is going to be awesome.
Goodwill Message:
In his goodwill message, Engineer Ikechukwu Nnamani, President of ATCON, congratulated the firm for organizing the event.
Nnamani who spoke through Ajibola Olude, Executive Secretary of ATCON said that discussions around 5G deployment should not neglect the need for telcos to migrate to IPv6 as most of their current equipment are on IPv4.
In his words, “We are happy to identify with the organisers of this event and the CEO, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro in particular.
“For us at ATCON, 5G should be discussed in readiness of telcos to migrate to IPv6. Presently, most of our networks are on IPv4. The networks have to be compliant to the global trends.
“There is also need to ensure the security of the networks as 5G is discussed with Spectrum management. There is also need to note that we will need more base stations; and what different States charge is quite exorbitant. For instance, in Lagos, our members are writing us to complain about the charges.
“IoT should be considered where almost everything will be connected. And issues around privacy must not be neglected.
“In terms of GSM @20, the revenue generation to the country is quite commendable. The job creation through GSM must be commended as many youths are gainfully engaged due to the impact of GSM.
He pledged ATCON’s continued support to work with industry stakeholders for the growth of the industry.
GSM@20: A new horizon beckons for telecoms Industry – Emuophedaro
Earlier in her welcome address, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, the Publisher, e-Business Life Communication Limited, traced the journey of 20 years since the first call on the GSM network in Nigeria was made.
She said that the journey which led to the historic GSM ‘call’ on August 8, 2021, began when Digital Mobile Licenses (DMLs) were issued by the Nigerian government, through the NCC in January 2001. “I dare to say it has been 20 years of transformation with a lot to be proud of, and so much more to look forward to in Nigeria’s telecommunications story.
“Before the GSM rollout in 2001, Nigeria had a combined subscription of about 400,000 lines, which were built on the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) network and few other existing Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, from the time of independence in 1960 to 2001. As at November 2020, active telephony subscribers stood at 208 million with teledensity standing at 108.92% while active internet subscriptions were 154.9 million and a broadband penetration of 45.07% , among others.
Mrs. Emuophedaro said it was no longer news that the telecoms sector in 20 years, have significantly transformed the government, businesses and individuals with great impact on every area of life.
“Chief among these contributions includes increased contribution to GDP, addition of nearly $80 billion in foreign and local direct investments; and the ability of Nigerians to communicate through the mobile phone and the opportunity to carry out several transactions/activities on the mobile phone, while on the move”.
She added that as the country is celebrating 20 years of GSM revolution a new horizon beckons for the telecom regulator as countries around the world move to digitize their economies and leverage the power and infrastructure of the telecommunications industry.
“Twenty years after GSM, a second generation mobile technology, Nigeria has stepped up to 3G, 4G and is moving on to 5G technology”.
She aligned with the NCC on the expectations that the deployment of 5G technology will spur services that will stimulate growth in different sectors of the Nigeria’s economy, including the health, education, financial and commerce sectors.
Chief Project Manager, Digital Encode Limited, Simileoluwa Oyediji, spoke on the need for the government to find ways of reducing cost, especially knowing that operators will spend so much more in deploying 5G across the country.
He further harped on the need for security, stating that aside the security features embedded in the 5G technology, further care should be taken as cybercriminals are not resting, but devising ways of breaking through the security features. He advised all stakeholders to use multi-layer security architecture, and users to maintain security consciousness, while the government and operators must engage in constant enlightenment campaign to inform and educate the masses.
Panel session:
The Panel Session has its discussion topic as “5G: Adoption, Infrastructure, Service as critical Elements for Competitive Digitized Economy
During a panel session on 5G: Adoption, Infrastructure, Service as critical Elements for Competitive Digitized Economy, moderated by the Vice President at DigiVation Network, Mr. Hilary Damissah, and panelists made up of the Publisher, eWorldNews, Mr. Aaron Ukodie; Editor, ICT Desk at ThisDay Newspapers, Mr. Emma Okonji; Executive Secretary of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Ajibola Olude; and Chief Project Manager, Digital Encode Limited, Simileoluwa Oyediji, who represented the Founder/COO , Digital Encode Limited, Dr. Obadara Peter Adewale.
Mr. Aaron Ukodie commended the NCC for taking the bold steps to adopt GSM as “today we are reaping the benefits. The same thing will apply to 4G era when the question was on roll-out and achieving national coverage; pricing and RoI and the price for the license. Today, the era is phasing out because telcos and other ISPs did roll out. Nigeria cannot play the laggards’ role in 5G as nations are deploying 5G and taking the benefits. NCC has taken the right decision to deploy 5G.”
Infrastructure-wise, Ukodie said that InfraCos are expected to be the legs through which 5G can be deployed across the country. “For instance, we expect them to take fibre to our homes, public spaces or metropolitan networks for more seamless signals. But the inability of the InfraCos to rollout services should be looked into”.
On the price of Spectrum for 5G deployment, he argued that the Nigerian market is hungry for data hence the regulator and the operators should reach an agreement on the bidding price benchmark. He recalled that similarly scenario played out in 2001 when the GSM license and spectrum were auctioned, there was outcry against the $100 million price cap, however, those that eventually purchased the license have not regretted it.
Mr. Emma Okonji agrees that infrastructure is key. He said that from the telcos’ point of view, they declared readiness to deploy equipment for 5G.
“However, the issue is whether other stakeholders like the States are ready too, because without infrastructure, it will be difficult to achieve 5G deployment. We want to give them the benefit of the fact, because honestly we need to get the internet services to the hinter lands.
“From the regulatory point of view, NCC also has been doing its beat. We should recall that in 2019 they conducted the trial in three cities – Lagos, Abuja, and Calabar and the results show 5G will work effectively in Nigeria.
“We also need to consider the readiness of different State governments like the time GSM was introduced as they are critical stakeholders with regards Right of Way and other issues”.
Okonji, however, called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to review the price for 3.5GHz Spectrum downward to encourage telcos to bid for it.
According to him, the current price tag of N75 billion will likely discourage the telcos’ from participating in the bidding process.
Speaking on readiness of telecom operators to invest in 5G equipment, Mr. Ajibola Olude said that the present economic climate situation of Nigeria discourage investments in the telecoms sector, especially with regards to the exchange rates fluctuations.
He also lamented the position of most State Governments which are yet to adhere to the N145 price cap per linear meter on Right-of –Way.
In his words, “Lagos State charges over N1000 per linear meter for fibre deployment. There is even charge disparity between mainland and Island (higher rates). So the Federal Government should engage more with the States to understand why the N145 cap should be maintained.
Sourcing of dollar to buy equipment is too cumbersome and not encouraging”, Olude said.
From security perspective, Simileoluwa Oyediji said it cannot be overemphasised how 5G will enable encryption and other privacy issues.
He however, said that infrastructure remains critical. “Government needs to step in and normalize things. For instance, how many people can afford 5G smartphones. We need them to connect and make good uses of 5G.
“Innovation also comes with its own disruptions; therefore, service providers need to develop their own skills. We shouldn’t rely solely on international vendors for deployment. We need to groom local talents because 5G will drive IoT, autonomous vehicles, smart cities, etc.
“Also, we need to look at the power issue because the mini-cells distributed close to the consumers will require such capacity to achieve the end-goal. It boils down to government’s ability to support the telcos and other service providers to ensure consumers can afford the rates.
“For security, we have to continue to improve as the innovations are launched”, he concluded.
Award
e-Business Life Communications Limited also presented ‘Technology Transformer Award’ to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), “for creating an environment for ICT growth and engendering economic development through policies, education and regulatory excellence,” among other resounding achievements.
Digital Encode Limited also bagged ‘Cybersecurity Mastery Award’, “for its passion in fortifying industry and non-industry players against cyber-threats and creating a safe environment for ICT growth.”
In attendance were media personnel from different media houses; the Chairman of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi; the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde and other stakeholders.
MTN Nigeria has announced the rescheduling of the MTN Champs Grand Finale to honour the legacy of its founding Chairman, Mr. Pascal Gabriel Dozie, who passed away on April 8, 2025.
The Grand Finale, which was originally scheduled to hold from April 30 to May 3, will now take place from May 6 to 9, 2025, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Dozie was a visionary leader whose pioneering role laid the foundation for what MTN has become today. For 18 years, from 2001 to 2019, he served as Chairman, leading with strength and conviction.
As one of Nigeria’s most respected businessmen and a champion of private sector development, he played a vital role in securing the GSM licence that launched MTN’s operations in Nigeria. His legacy continues to shape the company’s values and commitment to nation-building.
In a statement released earlier by the company, MTN Nigeria expressed deep sadness over his passing and extended heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
“His unwavering belief in Nigeria’s potential and his dedication to its development were truly inspiring. His leadership at MTN Nigeria laid the foundation for our success, and his legacy will continue to guide us in the years to come,” said Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria.
The MTN Champs initiative, launched in 2023, with the aim of building future olympians for Nigeria. It is MTN Nigeria’s bold commitment to discovering and nurturing the next generation of track and field athletes across the country.
Following regional competitions in cities such as Benin and Lagos, the Grand Finale in Uyo will bring together the most promising young talents from across Nigeria.
The new date allows athletes, fans, and partners alike to honour the memory of Mr. Dozie while continuing the spirit of excellence and youth development that he championed.
As the country and the MTN brand continue to mourn the loss of a trailblazer, MTN Nigeria remains steadfast in its mission to empower the next generation, on and off the track.
European Commission has imposed landmark fines on tech giants Apple and Meta in the first enforcement actions under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a new regulatory framework designed to enhance consumer choice and ensure fair competition in the digital economy.
Apple was fined €500 million (£428.3 million) for restricting app developers from guiding users to alternative purchasing options outside its App Store, a practice the commission said limited access to more affordable offers and stifled competition.
The commission has ordered Apple to amend its App Store policies by late June to comply with the DMA, warning that failure to do so could result in further daily penalties.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, was fined €200 million (£171.3 million) over its ‘pay or consent’ model, which required European Union users to either pay for an ad-free experience or consent to personalised advertising.
The commission found that this model failed to offer users a genuine choice and violated rules governing data processing and user consent. Meta’s revisions to this model, made in November 2024, are currently under review by the EU.
Both companies have pushed back against the commission’s decisions. Apple announced plans to appeal, stating that the ruling was unjust and detrimental to user privacy and security. “Today’s announcements are yet another example of the European Commission unfairly targeting Apple in a series of decisions that are bad for the privacy and security of our users, bad for products, and force us to give away our technology for free,” the company said.
Meta also criticised the EU’s approach, claiming that it imposes undue burdens on successful American companies while allowing competitors from China and Europe to operate under different standards. Joel Kaplan, Meta’s chief global affairs officer, said, “This isn’t just about a fine; the Commission forcing us to change our business model effectively imposes a multi-billion-dollar tariff on Meta while requiring us to offer an inferior service.”
The fines are part of a broader effort by the EU to clamp down on dominant digital platforms, known as ‘gatekeepers’, and ensure they do not abuse their market positions.
The commission has also concluded an investigation into Apple’s compliance with DMA rules on browsers and default apps, acknowledging changes that have opened up more space for competition.
However, Apple remains under scrutiny for its handling of alternative app marketplaces, which could attract additional penalties.
The enforcement measures may further strain transatlantic relations, with some in the United States, including former President Donald Trump’s administration, criticising the EU’s digital regulations as disproportionately targeting American firms.
Despite the pushback, the European Commission insists that the DMA is enforced impartially to safeguard consumer rights and foster a level playing field in the digital market.
IXPN, Nigeria’s leading Internet Exchange Point, is proud to announce a landmark achievement: crossing 1 Terabit per second (1Tbps) in aggregate peak domestic internet traffic for the first time.
This milestone signifies a major leap forward in developing Nigeria’s internet infrastructure and underscores the critical role of local internet infrastructure in driving economic growth, innovation, and connectivity for millions of Nigerians.
“This milestone is more than just a number. It’s a symbol of Nigeria’s digital maturity and our united strides towards becoming a tech-driven nation. By keeping local internet traffic within Nigeria, we reduce costs, improve speeds, and ensure our digital economy thrives with homegrown infrastructure.” said Muhammed Rudman the CEO of IXPN.
“Achieving 1 Tbps is a significant victory for Nigeria’s ICT ecosystem, a breakthrough for domestic internet traffic. It serves as a catalyst, enabling millions of Nigerians to enjoy faster, more affordable, and resilient internet connectivity.”
1 Terabit per second is a game-changer for Africa’s most populous country. To put it in perspective:
- Mega Video Calls: A speed of 1 Tbps can support over 1 million concurrent Zoom calls, allowing students, entrepreneurs, and professionals to connect and drive Nigeria’s digital revolution.
- Streaming Frenzy: With 1 Tbps, more than 200,000 people can stream HD Nollywood films or movies on Netflix simultaneously without any buffering or interruptions.
- Data Superpower: This speed enables the transfer of the entire contents of 50,000 smartphones—including photos, apps, and videos—in just one second.
For Nigeria, hitting this milestone means reducing reliance on international bandwidth, decreasing latency for local services, and strengthening our position as Africa’s digital heartbeat. This milestone is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of a faster, more connected Nigeria.
This accomplishment goes beyond technical advancements; it has significant economic implications. By encouraging local traffic exchange, IXPN reduces dependency on international bandwidth, leading to:
- Significant Cost Savings: By utilizing local data exchange, Nigerian businesses can save millions of dollars annually on international bandwidth fees.
- Enhanced Speed and Connectivity: With reduced latency, users experience smoother streaming, gaming, and real-time services, enhancing their overall online experience.
- Increased Resilience: Strengthening Nigeria’s internet infrastructure protects against global disruptions, ensuring consistent access to vital services such as healthcare and education.
- Improved Efficiency: Optimizes digital services like fintech, edtech, e-commerce, and e-health, propelling innovation and growth in these sectors.
Surveys conducted among IXPN members over the years have shown a growing percentage of local internet traffic in Nigeria. A recent report indicates that some connected members can localize or domesticate up to 70% of their internet traffic through IXPN.
“As more content providers, ISPs, banks, and public institutions localize their traffic through the IXP, end users benefit directly,” added Raphael Iloka (Marketing Manager). “We’re not just routing data — we’re building the foundation for Nigeria’s digital economy.”
The 1 Tbps peak highlights the remarkable impact of collaboration among all stakeholders. This milestone is a significant achievement not only for IXPN, but for the entire ICT ecosystem. IXPN deeply appreciates the vital contributions of all stakeholders involved.
To our Members and Partners: Your trust and participation have been essential to our growth. Together, we have established a hub where networks can interconnect, innovate, and thrive.
To the Government and Regulators: We express our sincere appreciation to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for all its support over the years and its vision of a digitally inclusive Nigeria.
To our Team: We extend our gratitude to our engineers, network administrators, and all other staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to push boundaries.
To the Global Community: We are grateful to partner organizations like the Internet Society (ISOC). Your support and advocacy in domestic peering empower us all.
Reaching 1 Tbps is just the beginning. As data demands skyrocket with AI, IoT, 5G, and immersive technologies, IXPN is committed to staying ahead of the curve. Here’s how:
- Scaling Infrastructure: We are investing in advanced hardware and software to support multi-terabit capacities.
- Enhancing Resilience: We are strengthening our network to ensure uptime, security, and adaptability in an ever-changing digital landscape.
- Empowering Underserved Communities: We aim to expand our reach to rural areas, bridging the digital divide, and supporting agritech, edtech, and telehealth.
- Strengthening Africa’s Digital Sovereignty: Partnering with regional IXPs to keep Africa’s data on the continent.
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