The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is pushing for the utilisation of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi -6 applications due to the increasing demand across the country.
According to the Commission, the 5GHz and 2.4GHz that are being used for Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 5) at the moment are becoming overwhelmed due to an increase in demand for capacity, saying that it is imperative to identify other frequency bands to complement the 5GHz and 2.4GHz.
Making the recommendation to stakeholders at the Annual Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies, in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida said 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.
Maida who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, noted that vast majority of home internet traffic is connected to the end-user through Wi-Fi adding that 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 latencies.
The Commission’s boss recalled that the recently concluded 2023 World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-23) allocated the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi and IMT applications with different recommendations on how to use the band stressing that it was the outcome of a long study cycle process leading to the decision at the WRC-2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
He said that the NCC assembled the stakeholders to present her thoughts and recommendations on the use of the Spectrum band to get their feedback for informed decision-making, adding “the Commission is on a path that will ensure the uptake of opportunities through our strategic focus areas which is driven by the recognition that each of our stakeholders whether it is our Licensees & Industry operators , Consumers or Government maintains unique perspective and have certain expectations of as the Commission.”
Maida disclosed that the NCC identified some key factors, which include people, collaboration data, compliance, and Digitalization. noting that in line with one of the key factors on collaboration, it is on industry-wide consultations in conducting its regulatory functions to elicit your comments and inputs on the use of the 6GHz for Wi-Fi – 6 and International Mobile Telecommunications (MT).
