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NCC denies claims of using the lockdown across the country to lay 5G cables

NCC denies claims of using the lockdown across the country to lay 5G cables

The Nigeria Communications Commission NCC has denied reports that the
lockdown in Lagos, Abuja, Ogun and many other states across the country
has afforded the commission the opportunity to install the
controversial 5G network cables.

There have been insinuations that the
Federal government is using the lockdown to install the controversial 5G
network which some claim is responsible for the Coronavirus pandemic
and can lead to many deaths.

In a statement released on Wednesday April 8th, the Executive Vice
Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof.
Umar Garba Danbatta, said indeed there is an ongoing digging for fibre
optic cables and deployment of other telecoms equipment by mobile
network operators (MNOs) across Lagos and other states but that
this exercise is only being done to expand the network infrastructure of
telecommunication companies across the country to provide more
efficient services to the consumers.

He said he had to make the clarification following
the insinuations being spread by some individuals through viral video,
audio and textual contents on social media that some ongoing
digging/excavation activities and laying of fibre optic cables by MNOs
in Lagos and in some other states are connected to 5G equipment
deployments.

“As we speak, any information suggesting or claiming that
the equipment being deployed by the network operators are 5G equipment
is purely misinformation deliberately orchestrated by individuals bent
on creating ill-feelings in the industry.” Danbatta said

He called on Nigerians to disregard such unfounded and
ill-motivated information in its entirety regardless of whoever, no
matter how highly-placed or lowly-placed, is making the insinuation.

 “As the telecoms regulator, we enjoin Nigerians to get
accurate information from us rather than relying on information
emanating on social media by some individuals out of ignorance to
misinform our people,” Danbatta said.

Setting the record straight, Danbatta said the ongoing
digging and fibre optic cable laying by some operators are in accordance
with agreements reached during meetings by the Honourable Minister of
Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami and
Management of the NCC with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) led by
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Executive Governor of Ekiti State in January 2020,
during which the Forum gave its commitment to allow the network
operators expand their networks by granting right of way (RoW) approvals
for telecommunications infrastructure expansion, unhindered, across
their states. He said this will significantly reduce drop calls and
improve networks performance of the operating companies.

 “The Governors’ Forum agreed to allow the telecoms
operators to expand their networks by granting the telecoms operators
necessary permits, which they had been having difficulties in getting
before now. This will help them expand their networks for more effective
service delivery to Nigerians. That is exactly what was or is ongoing
in Lagos and in other states. It is to improve their networks
infrastructure” he said

Danbatta, however, re-emphasised that the Commission has
not commenced any licensing process for 5G, saying what the Commission
had carried out was a 5G trial for three months, during which it will be
able to certify its safety to end users and guarantee its desirability
for deployment in the country.

“In line with our regulatory process with respect to
technology-neutrality, type-approval and other regulations aimed at
protecting the citizens and ensuring standards are complied with in the
Nigerian telecoms industry, NCC ensures that adequate trial is conducted
before a new technology is introduced. This is essentially to ensure
public safety. This is a priority for us at NCC. Similar trials were
carried out by NCC on earlier technologies that we use today, ranging
from 2G, 3G and 4G,” Danbatta added.

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