Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-14 03:12:57
Statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission have revealed that the adoption of the Fifth Generation (5G) network in the country has reached 0.96 per cent penetration of served communities as of November 2023, marking a steady increase from previous months.
The data showed that the figure had risen from 0.83 per cent in August to 0.88 per cent in September. It continued to climb, reaching 0.90 per cent in October before settling at 0.96 per cent in November. Although the absolute figure was not disclosed, the NCC reported that there were 500,000 5G subscriptions in the country as of mid-2023, with 5G networks established in approximately 30 cities.
The three major licensees for 5G in Nigeria, MTN, Mafab, and Airtel, have been actively working to increase 5G penetration in the country. Airtel has stated that it is currently operational in Lagos, Ogun, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, while MTN has established its presence in over 15 cities nationwide. Mafab, on the other hand, reported its presence in Lagos and Abuja, with plans for major expansion in the near future.
The Global System for Mobile Telecommunications Association (GSMA) reported that advanced markets will focus on promoting 5G adoption, with North America, East Asia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets leading the way. The telecoms advocacy body also projected that 5G would overtake 4G to become the dominant mobile technology globally by 2029. This transition is expected to significantly contribute to the scaling of mobile’s impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as research indicates that 5G users are more likely to utilize digital services on their smartphones compared to 4G users.
GSMA also emphasized the importance of ethical use of AI in mobile operations and customer interactions, pointing out the industry’s commitment to protecting customers and employees, addressing inequality, and ensuring reliable AI operations. The association highlighted the innovative use of AI by mobile operators to analyze complex data, optimize and automate networks, and support real-time analysis.
However, GSMA acknowledged ethical concerns surrounding AI and stressed the need for multi-stakeholder efforts and collaborative decision-making to ensure a safe and inclusive digital future. The mobile industry has been actively involved in initiatives to ensure responsible and ethical development and deployment of AI that is human-centric and rights-oriented.
In conclusion, the adoption of 5G networks in Nigeria has been steadily increasing, with major telecommunications companies working to expand their presence in more cities. The global shift towards 5G technology is expected to have a significant impact on mobile technology and its contribution to sustainable development. Furthermore, ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI have been highlighted, with the mobile industry taking proactive measures to ensure responsible and inclusive AI deployment.
