Page 102 - SAMENA Trends - May 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Senate Asks Government to Suspend Deployment of 5G Network in Nigeria

The Senate directed the Federal Government
to suspend the planned deployment of the
Fifth Generation Network in Nigeria. The
Senate resolution is sequel to a motion on
the present status of 5G Network in Nigeria.
The motion was sponsored by Sen. Uche
Ekwunife (PDP Anambra), who in her lead
debate said there were growing concerns
on the on-going discussion about the
current status of 5G network in Nigeria,
especially in regards to the question, 'if
Nigeria is presently connected to 5G.'
She said there were further concerns by
some scientists and medical experts that
emission from 5G towers could adversely
affect the health of citizens by causing
symptoms like damage to the eyes and
immune systems, among other adverse
effects. She, however, said that 5G network
has also been reported to hold a lot of
promises for mobile broadband services the world leaders in the roll out of 5G also investigate the technological impact
because of its faster speed and better mobile technology has placed an indefinite of the network on Nigerians and report
capacity. She expressed concern over the moratorium on the use of 5G network back to plenary within two weeks. The
uncertainty surrounding whether or not the because of the health concern. She said red chamber, however, asked the relevant
5G network has been launched in Nigeria that it was important to investigate the federal agency supervising the ICT
will continue to fuel the speculations and status of 5G network in Nigeria to ensure operations in the country to suspend the
rumors concerning the deployment of that Nigerian citizens are not exposed to 5G deployment until a thorough probe to
5G network and its faster effect on the unreasonable risk of great bodily injury or determine its suitability for human health
citizen of Nigerian. She said that several harm. The Senate in its other resolution had been achieved.
countries, including Switzerland, one of
directed the concerned committees to

O2 Tipped to Challenge Latest UK 5G Spectrum Sale

Telefonica subsidiary O2 UK reportedly felt had not been “resolved during previous told MWL any delay “threatens the UK’s
plans to challenge terms of a sale of 5G consultations”. An Ofcom representative strong start in 5G” but conceded a legal
frequencies in the 700MHz and 3.6GHz to told MWL it was disappointed “one challenge would be “understandable”.
3.8GHz bands, a move Financial Times (FT) operator has threatened to launch a legal “Owning contiguous blocks of spectrum
stated could delay the process by up to a dispute”. While the regulator didn’t name is crucial to achieving many of the much-
year-and-a-half. The newspaper reported O2, it warned any legal challenge “could touted benefits of 5G, such as superfast
O2 harbored concerns over the way the slow things down for mobile users and the speeds and high throughput. O2 has also
spectrum will be sold, demanding regulator economy”. FT explained the auction was been less motivated than rivals EE and
Ofcom sell contiguous blocks rather than scheduled to take place during the second Vodafone to quickly rollout its 5G network,
fragments and preparing a legal challenge half of the year, but had been put on ice due so in this sense any delay may have more
to the process. O2 told Mobile World to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. of an impact on its rivals”. Rival 3 UK
Live (MWL) only that it had written to the Sources told the newspaper any legal holds 100MHz of contiguous spectrum
regulator to raise concerns about the sale, challenge could cause an 18-month delay from prior acquisitions, which O2, EE and
with FT noting this was part of a procedure to proceedings. Kester Mann, director, Vodafone UK had expressed competitive
enabling operators to flag concerns they consumer and connectivity at CCS Insight, concerns about.

102 MAY 2020