The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is already eyeing the launch of the sixth generation (6G) mobile technology, which it estimates could generate $1 billion in revenue for the state. The move was revealed last week by Aminu Maida, the telecoms regulator’s executive vice chairman while presenting the institution’s 2025 budget to the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications.
“6G promises ultra-fast data speeds with reduced latency, significant power efficiency and increased reliability. While its precise applications are yet to be defined, this next generation aims to achieve global connectivity, sensor-based connectivity, immersive communications and mission-critical services, among many other potential use cases, through a hybrid and diversified technology approach,” said the Global Association of Mobile Phone Operators (GSMA).
It is worth remembering, however, that the technology is still in its development stage. At the moment, the priority for regulators, ministries, operators, suppliers and researchers is to define the spectrum policy for 6G. The GSMA estimates that 6G will become the main mobile technology only in the 2030s.
Meanwhile, 5G accounted for only 2.46% of the 164.9 million mobile subscribers recorded in the country by the telecoms regulator as of December 2024, just over two years after the technology was launched. 4G accounted for 47.20%, compared to 8.75% for 3G and 41.59% for 2G. In terms of coverage, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G covered 94.1%, 89.4%, 84.2% and 11.8% of the Nigerian population respectively by 2023, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Operators will need to invest to expand 4G and 5G, among other things. According to Swedish equipment maker Ericsson, the initial cost of deploying 5G in a country is between $3 billion and $8 billion, with an additional investment of 20 to 35 percent for network expansion. Additionally, operators will need an additional $150 million in investments to extend 4G coverage to 94 percent of the population, reaching 9 million people, according to the GSMA. This is expected to be facilitated by the 50 percent increase in telecom service tariffs recently approved by the NCC.
Source: extensia.tech
