The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has made a significant move to enhance connectivity by opening the 6GHz frequency band for unlicensed Wi-Fi use.
This is even as operators have advocated for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to key into this opportunity, by expanding their networks to unnerved and underserved areas.
The need to shift to 6GHz spectrum, according to NCC, is as a result of the over-use of the current 5GHz and 2.4GHz spectrum bands that are being used for Wi-Fi 5 deployment that are becoming overwhelmed due to increase in demand for capacity.
The vast majority of home internet traffic is connected to the end-user through Wi-Fi, just as 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 executive vice chairman/chief executive officer(CEO), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, at the Annual Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies, on Thursday, in Lagos, averred that, the 5GHz and 2.4GHz that are being used for Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 5) at the moment are becoming overwhelmed due to an increase in demand for capacity, as it becomes imperative to identify other frequency bands to complement the 5GHz and 2.4GHz.
To this end, Maida disclosed that, Nigeria will be joining the league of countries already utilising part of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi -6 applications, adding that, 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.
Speaking on the importance of WIFI in driving the digital economy, Maida, who was represented by the executive commissioner, Technical Services at NCC, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, said: “Wi-Fi plays a crucial role in the distribution of fixed broadband connectivity in homes, offices, and various other environments.
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 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 welcome address, the head, Spectrum Administration, NCC, Engr. Atiku Lawal, said, with the overcrowded airwaves currently limiting the potential of Wi-Fi in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz, it is not a surprise that more than seventy (70) countries have already acted, or are considering acting, to open the 6GHz band for unlicensed Wi-Fi use.
“Depending upon the country’s implementation plan, this 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).
“Further to this, additionally, capacity in the unlicensed use of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi will improve Quality of Service (QoS) through Wi-Fi 6 offload as the use of Wi-Fi at home, offices, institutions, airports etc. will help relieve networks of capacity constraints by taking devices of the cellular networks,” he disclosed.
While applauding NCC, the chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, pleaded with the federal government to assist operators in upgrading to the new spectrum.
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This appeal is coming on the heels of the fact that operators are struggling to expand their networks,
Adebayo, who was represented by the executive secretary, ALTON, Gbolahan Awonuga, stated. “The ICT industry has done a lot for the country and I believe the sector should not be neglected. We are not isolated from the harsh financial ecosystem. We need money to upgrade our infrastructure and import equipment, so as to benefit from the 6GHz. Our members are struggling to expand their infrastructure. We appeal to the federal government to come to our aid,” he appealed.
In addition, the President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, said the 6GHz band represents a critical asset for future telecommunications growth, while calling for the need to balance the needs of unlicensed use (WiFi-6) with the equally important licensed spectrum needed for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT).
“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
Deploying services on the 6GHz band will also require significant investments in upgrading infrastructure, both for mobile networks and WiFi systems, Emoekpere said, adding that Telecom operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must have the capacity to absorb this new technology.
“Policies that foster public-private partnerships, reduce Right of Way (RoW) charges, and simplify regulatory hurdles will be critical to achieving the infrastructure expansion necessary for a successful deployment.
“A particular consideration here is the role of smaller, local ISPs who may not have the financial capacity to compete for high-cost licensed spectrum but can greatly benefit from the unlicensed spectrum provided by WiFi-6. Supporting these smaller ISPs will encourage their proliferation, contributing significantly to broadband penetration in underserved and rural areas,” he stated
Other industry stakeholders including Meta and Huawei Technologies also made presentations at the forum, stressing the need for spectrum sharing and for the approval of L6/7/8 GHz microwave transmission spectrum for Nigerian operators when they apply.
