Nigeria needs more infrastructure to support 5G rollout, say ATCON boss

Tony Izuagbe, president of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), says the lack of sufficient infrastructure to drive new technologies could slow down the rollout of the 5G network.

Izuagbe took the position in an interview with NAN on Tuesday, in Lagos.

He said the 5G technology rollout needs more infrastructure and more connectivity between the infrastructure.

The 5G technology is the fifth-generation technology standard for cellular networks which cellular phone companies began deploying worldwide in 2019.

The innovation is the successor to 4G technology that provides connectivity to most current mobile phones.

Last year, the NCC issued the 5G licences to successful bidders of the 3.5GHz spectrum. Since then 5G-licensed telecoms operators have continued to roll out their 5G networks across the country.

Izuagbe said the rate of adoption of the 5G technology would depend on the availability of the infrastructure that would support it.

“There is enthusiasm about 5G. The awareness is there, and operators are getting a lot of requests,” he said.

“However, the infrastructure available will determine if more people will push to 5G. You know it is a factor of demand and supply.”

According to Izuabge, 5G network requires almost three times as many base stations as the 4G technology will require.

“Also, it will require a lot of connectivity to all those base stations,” he added.

The ATCON boss said the 5G rollout is still in its first phase in Nigeria, adding that there is no stop date for technology rollout as the 4G technology is also still being deployed.

According to Izuagbe, the 5G technology’s initial rollout was concentrated in major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Kano.

Speaking on its benefits, he said, “5G technology would enable the consumer to have multiple devices connected to the internet.”

Izuagbe added that the 5G network would enable advanced technology, especially in areas with a high concentration of organisations leveraging technology and high data usage.

He said the innovation is a great enabler, particularly as the world moves towards the era of the internet of things (IoT).

“We are getting to an era where even your common household appliances become connected to the internet, 5G will enable that,” Izuagbe said.

“When you talk about smart cities, smart homes, and having closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras around the country, all these can be 5G-enabled.

“The 5G technology is for faster speed, more communication between devices, faster upload, smart city-enabled – enabling more devices to the cloud – and faster broadband spread to allow more devices on the network.”

On the deployment of the 5G network at the grassroots, the ATCON president said stakeholders should ensure that everybody — whether in the urban or rural centre — has access to communication.