According to the federal government, a 5G network would be deployed throughout the country shortly to improve connectivity.
Dr. Isa Pantami, Minister of Communication and Digital Economy said this in Abuja in an interview with (NAN).
Pantami stated that the decision to implement the 5G network was the result of extensive investigations, research, and testing, which determined that it did not pose a security or health risk.
He stated that the national policy on 5G stands at 95 percent done and will be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in due course.
Pantami, who stated that the government’s first priority was to guarantee the security and wellbeing of Nigerians when using telecoms services, blamed the delay in the implementation of the 5G network on conspiracy theories.
Concerns that COVID-19 was linked to the deployment of the 5G communications network were disregarded by the minister.
“Our government is a listening one; so we listen to constructive criticisms, respect it and appreciate it and at least we value it,” he said.
“We’d reached the advanced stage of 5G, then, an issue came up that 5G was related to COVID-19; many people including the educated ones started circulating it without verification.
“Naturally, people are a bit scared and skeptical about technology.
“So we gave enough time to do more consultation, creating awareness in local languages so as to engage our citizens to address all the challenges.
“We set up a technical team that accommodated security, health, and environmental institutions and the public sector so that we can be on the same page.
“I want to give you the assurance that the 5G communication network is in the pipeline.”
Pantami stated that the ministry has begun negotiations with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) about commercializing the spectrum.
“From that spectrum, NCC will give it to mobile operators to start deployment; so, the policy is almost ready,” he added.
“I went to the National Assembly, I defended our presentation and they have accepted and they have also endorsed the deployment of 5G.
“They have also encouraged us to learn from other countries that have deployed 5G and we have already done that.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a statement that there is no relationship between 5G network and COVID-19 and that addresses the health issue.
“Similarly, the International Communications Union (ICU), which is an arm of the UN, also issued another statement debunking any implications from the 5G.”
