NCC to Explore 6GHz Spectrum for Broadband Growth

Na’ankwat Dariem

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has significantly leveraged the 6GHz spectrum’s potential for enhanced Wi-Fi 6 to address Nigeria’s growing broadband needs.

This move addresses the country’s growing demand for high-speed internet, which is currently facing capacity constraints on the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Aminu Maida, disclosed this during a Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.

Mr. Maida, represented by the Executive Commissioner of Technical Services at NCC, Abraham Oshadami, said the move would address the growing demand for high-speed internet.

He said that Nigeria would be joining the league of countries already utilising part of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi -6 applications.

“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.

“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 latency,” Maida said.

Similarly, the Head of Spectrum Administration, NCC, Atiku Lawal, said that the overcrowded airwaves were currently limiting the potential of Wi-Fi in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

According to Lawal, it was not a surprise that more than seventy countries had already acted, or were considering acting on opening 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.

“It will result in the ability to implement 80 MHz 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).

“The commission’s decision to open the 6GHz frequency band for unlicensed Wi-Fi use is poised to revolutionise broadband connectivity in Nigeria.

“This move will significantly enhance internet services, providing faster and more reliable connections.

“With the advent of Wi-Fi 6, users can expect higher data rates and increased capacity, making it ideal for high-demand environments such as stadiums, airports, and offices.

“By offloading devices from cellular networks to Wi-Fi 6, the NCC aims at improving overall quality of service, alleviating capacity constraints, and boosting broadband penetration in Nigeria,” Lawal said.

While commending the NCC, the Chairman of the Association of Licenced Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, pleaded with the Federal Government to assist operators in upgrading to the new spectrum.

He said the appeal was coming because operators were struggling to expand their networks.

Adebayo, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, ALTON, Gbolahan Awonuga, said: “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 for us to benefit from the 6GHz.

“Our members are struggling to expand their infrastructure. We appeal to the federal government to come to our aid,” Adebayo said.