NCC eyes 6GHz spectrum for high-speed internet

The Nigerian Communications Commission on Thursday announced plans to harness the 6GHz spectrum to enhance internet speed and connectivity in the country.

The initiative was unveiled at a Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies in Lagos to address the growing demand for high-speed internet services.

The 6GHz spectrum, which spans from 5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz, is used for wireless communications, particularly for Wi-Fi 6E and other advanced technologies.

With this move, Nigeria joins South Africa and Morocco as African countries deploying the 6GHz spectrum.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, disclosed that the deployment of the 6GHz spectrum has become necessary due to capacity constraints on the existing 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands.

Represented by the Executive Commissioner of Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, Maida noted that the 6GHz band offers significantly faster data rates and transmission speeds, making it ideal for the expanding digital landscape in Nigeria.

He said the adoption of this higher spectrum is crucial for supporting emerging technologies and ensuring that Nigeria keeps pace with global advancements in wireless communication.

He added that Nigeria would join other countries already utilizing portions of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi 6 applications, which offer enhanced performance and efficiency for connected devices.

By integrating the 6GHz band into the nation’s spectrum portfolio, the commission hopes to alleviate network congestion and provide a more robust internet experience for users.

He explained 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.

“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.

Maida explained that in enterprise environments, Wi-Fi is vital for managing large volumes of data and connecting multiple devices simultaneously with enhanced reliability, higher data speeds, and lower delays.

The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, urged the Federal Government to support telecom operators in upgrading to the new 6GHz spectrum.

Speaking on behalf of Adebayo, the Executive Secretary of ALTON, Gbolahan Awonuga, highlighted the financial difficulties faced by operators in expanding their networks.

Adebayo noted that operators are not immune to the challenging financial environment and require funding to upgrade infrastructure and import necessary equipment.

“Our members are struggling to expand their infrastructure. We appeal to the Federal Government to come to our aid,” he stated.