As the federal authorities of Nigeria by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) strikes to public sale the second batch of the three.5GHz (gigahertz) spectrum for the deployment of fifth technology (5G) cellular expertise, research present that the alternatives that abound within the 5G expertise are immense.

The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof Umaru Garba Danbatta, talking at a stakeholder discussion board for the ultimate collation of Information Memorandum (IM) that may information the three.5GHz spectrum public sale in Lagos final week, stated the public sale of obtainable spectrum for 5G providers in Nigeria is to advance digital providers and improve high quality communications infrastructure for the good thing about the citizenry.

Danbatta stated there may be want for stakeholders to grasp the real imaginative and prescient of the Commission to equip the nation with the newest applied sciences and providers which is the main target of the efforts to deploy 5G providers nationwide.

“The overriding consideration of the Federal Government of Nigeria to make sure deployment of 5G providers is to boost higher life for Nigerians and the expansion of the nation’s financial system as a complete by provision of qualitative high-speed Internet providers that improve productiveness and effectivity throughout sectors.

“For those that are conversant with developments within the trade, the proactive regulatory method of the Commission in transiting Nigeria from 1G, to 2G, 3G, 4G and now to 5G has introduced outstanding socio-economic developments, remodeling lives and companies.

“Our intent is purely to digitally transform Nigeria and Nigerians towards becoming a leading digital economy not only in Africa but globally and where telecoms continue to be a major enabler and contributor to the nation’s economic growth,” the EVC stated.

5G Auction

Come nineteenth December, 2022, the Commission would conduct one other public sale for 2 extra Lots for 3.5GHz spectrum public sale in Abuja. The NCC is providing Lots of 100 MHz TDD Spectrum within the 3.5 GHz band starting from 3400 – 3500 MHz and 3600 – 3700 MHz, totalling 200 MHz for public sale. This will probably be awarded to successful bidders in 100 MHz Lot every.

The Commission has set the Reserve Price (RP) for one Lot of 100MHz TDD for a 10- yr licence tenure fastened at US$273,600,000.00 or its equal in naira on the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) charges on the time of the public sale.

The Commission has set the Reserve Price (RP) for one Lot of 100MHz TDD for a 10- yr licence tenure fastened at US$273,600,000.00 or its equal in naira on the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) charges on the time of the public sale.

What 5G Brings

5G cellular expertise is much forward of earlier expertise requirements.  Deployment of this newest cellular expertise in some developed international locations exhibits that it brings about supply of ubiquitous broadband providers, permit for real-time communication and enhance knowledge switch, particularly upstream speeds.

This new expertise which tens of millions of Nigerian telecom shoppers are going to expertise, will result in 10 occasions consumer expertise throughput, 10 occasions connection density, 10 occasions lower in latency, thrice spectrum effectivity, 100 occasions site visitors capability and 100 occasions community effectivity.

In addition to the bandwidth improve for seamless video streaming or the following social utility playground, 5G expertise helps real-time, ultra-reliable communication between large numbers of gadgets.

It creates huge potentialities in innovation and transformation, and can immensely enhance high quality of residing, as customers acquire a greater expertise of providers and expertise basically – from monetary providers, healthcare, training, and even public service supply to extra leisurely functions, comparable to video streaming providers, gaming and even self-driving automobiles.

Chief Technology Officer, MTN Nigeria, Engr. Rufai Mohammed stated, “In easy phrases, 5G is double of what now we have on the 4G community. It is far more environment friendly, enabling us to ship 10 occasions the pace now we have on our 4G community. That‘s the primary necessary issue. Secondly, 5G affords about 10 occasions much less latency than 4G. The decrease the latency, the higher the expertise.

“And the third necessary issue is connection density, which is how many individuals can you join inside an space. As you realize, the extra folks you have got, the extra loaded the community is and the extra the possibilities of congestion.

“5G as a result of it has giant spectrum and in addition considerably improved antenna expertise with issues like large MIMO (Multiple enter and a number of output) antennas and Beamforming, we’re in a position to join many extra folks in the identical space than the 4G community which is sort of 100 occasions extra connection density, and it’s because 5G additionally targets what we referred to as Internet of Things (IoT).

“Going forward, we not only expecting people get connected through their phones, but also through so many sensors, so many things that will be connected to the 5G network for that to be transformed. With low latency and high throughput, a lot of use cases, a lot of connectivity requirements are not possible on the 3G and 4G networks but are now possible on 5G network,” Mohammed stated.

 5G Use Cases

5G is designed to extend transmission pace, improve community capability, and cut back latency. These superior capabilities have big potential for industries comparable to Healthcare, Education, Entertainment, Industrial Internet of Things (IoT), Autonomous Vehicles, Smart Cities, Agriculture, logistics, Manufacturing, Mining, Oil and Gas, Government, Utilities and Workforce.

The world 5G providers market is predicted to turn into a $664.75 billion market, rising at a compound annual progress price of 46.2 per cent from 2021 to 2028 primarily based on a latest 5G market report in line with Grand View Research.

According to Ericsson, “Faster connectivity speeds, ultra-low latency and greater bandwidth is advancing societies, transforming industries and dramatically enhancing day-to-day experiences. Services that we used to see as futuristic, such as e-health, connected vehicles and traffic systems and advanced mobile cloud gaming have arrived. With 5G technology, we can help create a smarter, safer and more sustainable future.”

5G is driving new monetization alternatives throughout shopper areas comparable to Mobile gaming, Fixed wi-fi entry, New immersive consumer experiences. 5G is permitting companies: Run any course of remotely, no matter how important it’s; Real-time management of each enterprise course of; Automate your operations; Use compute sources the place it is smart, run purposes on the sting the place related; and Inherent larger safety degree with out sacrificing general efficiency.

Last yr, Huawei rotating chairman Ken Hu, outlined three areas of alternative that can drive the following stage of 5G’s progress, together with XR providers, the B2B market, and low-carbon growth. “5G has supplied a substantial improve in cellular expertise for shoppers, and it’s already beginning to empower completely different industries across the globe.

“Progress was much faster than we expected, especially in terms of the subscriber base, network coverage, and the sheer number of 5G terminals on the market,” he stated. Hu additionally stated that the trade must get networks, gadgets, and content material prepared for explosive progress in Extended Reality (XR).

Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Adia Sowho stated, each main technological evolution redefines what is feasible – altering the best way we reside and the best way we join. 5G has the potential to vary all the pieces. It will permit us to attach, create, collaborate, and compete in methods we’ve not even begun to think about.

Sowho added that 5G community may even result in longer battery life, higher indoor protection in underground, parking garages, cellars; and environment friendly, easier {hardware} and fewer bandwidth. Among different advantages is that 5G will speed up Internet of Things comparable to sensible cities, sensible properties, healthcare, transportation, sensible manufacturing, automobiles, agriculture, dwelling home equipment, wearables, and power engagement.

“Imagine you had a protracted day at work and you’re stressed. Your sensible air conditioner, smartphone, automobile, water heater, music system, and sensible bulbs are all related by the web and in coordination with one another. Now, your sensible wristband identifies the stress degree by your coronary heart and blood stress price and shares the data or knowledge to the opposite related gadgets.

“Your car communicates with devices at your house and indicates that you are nearby. Inside the house, your Air conditioner, lights, and water heater are already turned on for you. Your music system plays music for relaxation. These all will be ready as pre-instructed, and now you can take a warm shower with beautiful music,” Adia additional said.