No evidence 5G causes COVID-19 – FG, IT experts

In reaction to the controversy generated by the planned installation of the fifth generation of mobile technologies (5G telecom network) in Nigeria, the Federal Government, as well as information technology and medical experts said there’s no evidence that it causes coronavirus and transmits diseases. They said misinformation and lack of effective communication caused the rumour […]

In reaction to the controversy generated by the planned installation of the fifth generation of mobile technologies (5G telecom network) in Nigeria, the Federal Government, as well as information technology and medical experts said there’s no evidence that it causes coronavirus and transmits diseases.

They said misinformation and lack of effective communication caused the rumour and subsequent controversy.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Trust on Sunday, the president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Olusola Teniola said, “The lockdown in the United Kingdom has given an opportunity to those opposed to the deployment of 5G technology to spread fake news and fear into some parts of the population,’’ adding that there is no empirical evidence to prove that 5G caused COVID-19.

“There is no link , and we need to listen to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and government medical specialists about how COVID-19  is caused and spread and take proper measures to avoid the spread of the virus by following the advice of medical practitioners on self-isolation, and keeping hands clean during these uncertain times,’’ he added.

According to him, there is no scientific data or research pointing to any harmful effect on human beings.

He further said government acted wisely by allowing an independent study after the 5G trial last year on both 3.5GHz and 26GHz spectrums.

“However, very little has been done on frequencies above 6 GHz, and like when 2G technology was launched, no one on earth has a definite answer on what happens with wide and mass roll out of wireless (mobile) technology for the sort of applications envisioned to be developed on it.

“We are dealing with complex technologies, and this sometimes causes doubt in the minds of those that don’t understand it,’’ he said, adding that the controversy is a wake-up call.

We have not issued 5G licence in Nigeria – FG

Although the Federal Government said it had not issued any 5G mobile telecom licence in the country, some Nigerians think otherwise. They allege that 5G cables were laid, even during the period of lockdown.

The executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta said the ongoing laying of fibre optic cables and the deployment of other telecom equipment by mobile network operators across Lagos and other states was entirely to expand their infrastructure across the country and not for 5G deployment.

He made this clarification in response to insinuations being spread by some individuals through viral video, audio and textual contents on the social media, claiming that some ongoing digging/excavation activities and laying of fibre optic cables by mobile network operators in Lagos and some other states are connected to the deployment of 5G equipment.

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

He called on Nigerians to disregard such ill-motivated information in its entirety.

“As telecom regulators, we enjoin Nigerians to get accurate information from us rather than relying on information on the social media,” Danbatta added.

He further said the ongoing digging and laying of fibre optic cables by some operators were in accordance with agreements reached during meetings by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami and the management of the NCC, with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State, in January this year.

According to him, governors allowed network operators to expand their networks by granting them right of way for telecommunication infrastructure, saying the gesture would help them expand their networks for more effective service delivery.

Danbatta, however, re-emphasised that the commission had not commenced any licensing process for 5G network, saying they only carried out trial for three months, during which they would certify its safety to end users and guarantee the desirability for deployment in the economy.

“In line with our regulatory process, with respect to technology neutrality, type approval and other regulations aimed at protecting the citizens and ensuring that standards are complied with in the Nigerian telecom industry, the 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. Similar trials were carried out on the earlier technologies we use today – 2G, 3G and 4G,” Danbatta added.

Earlier, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Pantami, said Nigeria might not roll out 5G soon, as his office was yet to issue licence to any company in the country.

“The National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), of which I am the chairman, has not deliberated on, or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G. No license to this effect has been issued in the country,’’ the minister said.

He said the trial process had been concluded and the study and reporting process was currently ongoing.

He said, “Our desire for technological advancement will never be at the expense of the health and welfare of our citizens.’’

Pantami said the Federal Government would take an informed decision on 5G after due consultation with experts and the public.

“I have also directed the NCC to engage citizens on any question or concern they may have regarding the 5G network,’’ he added.

‘5G does not transmit diseases, accelerates SDGs’

The 5G network intends to accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), from affordable and clean energy to zero hunger, a public health expert, Dr Olajide Adebola said.

The president of the Society for Telemedicine and eHealth in Nigeria also said there was no link between 5G telecom and coronavirus (COVID-19). Adebola said the network would enable the use of technology in the health sector and cannot transmit diseases. He added that until it is deployed, some of its health implications cannot be fully understood.

“I think there is ignorance at display, and in public health, it is actually the bane of diseases.”

He said although the scope of use and business presented challenges, new functionalities and services necessitated a new way of deploying advanced mobile services, as well as new approaches in making 5G technologies work together in industrial settings by machine-to-machine communications, Internet of Things (IoT) or with connected vehicles.

“Consumer demands are shaping the development of mobile broadband services, and anticipated increases in traffic, estimated between 10 and 100 times from 2020 to 2030, and growth of number of devices and services, as well as demand for enhanced affordability and user experience, will require innovative solutions. The number of connected devices on the internet is projected to reach 50billion any time from 2025 onwards,” he said.

He said 5G was expected to connect people, things, data, applications, transport systems and cities in smart networked communication environments. According to him, “It should transport a huge amount of data faster, reliably connect an extremely large number of devices and process very high volumes of data with minimal delay.

“5G technologies are expected to support applications such as smart homes and buildings, smart cities, 3D video, work and play in the cloud, remote medical services, virtual and augmented reality, and massive machine-to-machine communications for industry automation. 3G and 4G networks currently face challenges in supporting these services.”

“With these ambitious goals, 5G networks face considerable challenges. The increased capacity and data rates promised by 5G require more spectrum and vastly more spectrally efficient technologies, beyond what is currently used in 3G and 4G systems.”

According to him, a number of countries have started 5G trials and the results are under assessment. In many parts of the world, strategies for 5G deployment have been established.

Already, a few regulators have been auctioning licenses to operate 5G networks in the frequency bands allocated in the Radio Regulations (RR) to the land mobile service. The first full-scale commercial deployments for 5G are expected sometime after IMT-2020 specifications are finalised, he said.