Telecom
NCC Rallies Stakeholders on Adoption of 6GHz Open Wi-Fi
Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has gathered opinion molders in the communications industry, to create people-centered policies for the adoption of 6GHz Open Wi-Fi.
L-R: Executive Secretary, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, Gbolahan Awonuga; Professor of Telecommunications Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Caroline Alenoghena; Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Abraham Oshadami; Public Policy Manager, Anglophone West Africa, Meta, Sade Dada; Director, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, NCC, Efosa Idehen and President, Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria, Tony Emoekpere, during a Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies hosted by the Commission in Lagos on Thursday (September 19, 2024).
The stakeholder forum held in Lagos, aligns with NCC’s mission of effective regulation, consumer protection, research and development, market growth, and policy implementation.
Speaking at the stakeholder forum, Dr. Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman/CEO of NCC, emphasized the commission’s role as a hub for decision-making, while recognizing the invaluable contributions of high-speed internet. He reiterated the commitment to align with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Our actions must be guided by decisions that consider inputs from all industry stakeholders.
“The 6GHz band, spanning 5925 MHz to 7125 MHz, provides a substantial spectrum to meet the growing demand for high-speed internet and advanced applications.
“Wi-Fi is crucial for distributing fixed broadband connectivity across homes, offices, and various environments,” he stated.
Speaking further, Dr. Aminu, who was represented by Abraham Oshadami, the Executive Commissioner for Technical Services at NCC, expressed enthusiasm for the stakeholder initiative.
He noted that the government aims to reposition the commission to seize opportunities through strategic focus areas driven by collaboration, data compliance, and digitalization.
He pointed out that most home internet traffic connects through Wi-Fi, making it essential to handle large data volumes and connect multiple devices reliably. As the current 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies become saturated, exploring other bands is imperative.
Meanwhile, Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, President of ATCON, discussed the importance of spectrum allocation, investment in infrastructure, consumer benefits, digital inclusion, and global alignment.
He emphasized that the 6GHz band is being considered globally for IMT and Wi-Fi 6 deployment, urging Nigeria to align its policies with international standards to foster trade, collaboration, and innovation.
He highlighted the potential of Wi-Fi 6 to provide high-speed, low-latency internet to underserved areas, advocating for inclusive access and equitable distribution of technology, while ensuring affordability and consumer protection.
The forum also featured insights from Meta’s Fargani Tambeayuk, Director of Public Policy for Francophone Africa, who acknowledged the NCC’s efforts in achieving 66% internet traffic growth within a year.
According to him, Nigeria’s $2 billion fiber-optics project is a significant leap in connectivity. He emphasized that the internet is a key driver of economic growth and that the adoption of 6GHz will lead to prosperity.
Corroborating Fargani’s thought, Judith Okonkwo of Imisi 3D Creation who Lab co-presented on “Wi-Fi for a Digital-Driven Economy,” highlights the benefits of Real-time Remote Assistance (RRA).
RRA facilitates immediate support via live video, audio, and chat, improving efficiency and reducing costs across various sectors, including manufacturing, education, and entertainment.
Strengthening the discussion, Engr. Prof. Caroline Alenoghena from the Federal University of Minna discussed the opportunities presented by leveraging the 6GHz spectrum, including increased wireless capacity, reduced network congestion, and enhanced telemedicine capabilities.
She recommended spectrum studies, pilot projects, and investment incentives, urging international partners to support Nigeria’s 6GHz adoption through knowledge sharing.
To Daniel Obam, a resource person from Huawei noted the challenges in Nigeria’s transmission network, including a national fiber penetration rate of approximately 19%, compared to over 60% in Europe.
He emphasized the need for Nigeria to increase its capacity and explore the benefits of 6GHz technology.
But Dr. Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo from Intel highlighted that extensive technical studies have confirmed that wireless access systems can operate within the 6GHz band without disrupting existing operations.
He noted that many countries have opened part of the 6GHz band for use and recommended that Nigeria do the same to foster innovation and connectivity.
Google has launched its Search Live feature globally to over 200 countries, including Nigeria, where AI Mode is available, enabling voice-and-camera conversations in users’ preferred languages.
Powered by the new multilingual Gemini 3.1 Flash Live model, it delivers natural, real-time interactions via the Google app on Android or iOS—tap the Live icon under the Search bar.
Ideal for hands-free help, users can speak queries for audio replies, follow-ups, or web links. Camera integration adds visual context, like troubleshooting a shelving unit, or pairs with Google Lens for real-world chats.
From the app or Lens, Nigerians can now explore, learn, or solve tasks instantly, boosting everyday productivity worldwide.
Clean and reliable power for telecom networks in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone will be expanded following a $45 million investment by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in IPT PowerTech.
The investment targets countries where limited power supply continues to slow digital connectivity and broader economic participation, the institution stated earlier this week.
To enable this expansion, the IFC is providing a $45 million corporate financing package consisting of an A-loan of $27 million and $18 million in blended finance.
The blended portion is sourced from the Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Programme and the IDA20 Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility.
The initiative marks the IFC’s first direct infrastructure engagement in Liberia in a decade and in Sierra Leone in six years.
It will help scale solar- and battery-based power systems that reduce reliance on diesel and support greener, more resilient telecom networks.
By improving the quality and stability of power to telecom towers, the initiative will strengthen mobile coverage and ensure that households, schools, health centres, and small businesses can depend on consistent digital services, said the IFC.
The funding supports the modernisation, operation, and maintenance of 2 235 telecom sites across the three nations. More than 90% of these are located in off-grid or weak-grid locations.
With new solar and battery systems powering these sites, mobile networks will experience fewer outages and improved service quality.
Optimising the energy mix is estimated to reduce power costs for operators by up to 30% in Liberia, 26% in Sierra Leone, and 52% in Ethiopia.
This transition is also expected to cut emissions by more than 10 624 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Furthermore, the partnership will promote gender inclusion by expanding opportunities for women in technical, operational, and leadership roles within the sector, says the IFC.
This agreement reflects a shared vision for a greener telecom industry and empowers the company to scale its innovative energy platforms, according to Nabil Haddad, CEO of IPT PowerTech Group.
Reliable and affordable power for telecom networks is a cornerstone of Africa’s digital transformation, said Nathalie Kouassi-Akon, IFC regional director for West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
Through this partnership, the institution is supporting a scalable, private sector-led solution that enables mobile operators to reach underserved and fragile communities more sustainably, added Kouassi-Akon.
The project advances the World Bank Group and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, which aims to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Expedier has unveiled “Expedier for Business,” an online pro-banking platform to simplify global payments, multi-currency transactions, and financial operations for expanding companies.
Kingsley Madu
The tool centralizes payments, invoicing, payroll, and treasury into one secure dashboard, tackling challenges like fragmented systems and poor visibility that hinder international scaling.
Kingsley Madu, Co-Founder and CEO of Expedier, said: “African businesses are increasingly global… Expedier for Business was built to simplify how companies manage money across borders while maintaining visibility, control, and compliance.”
Key features include customizable dashboards for payments, invoices, and workflows; support for USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, and more; virtual cards; automated payroll/invoicing; currency swaps; and real-time tracking.
Security measures cover two-factor authentication, KYC/KYB verification, and team access controls.
As cross-border trade and remote work boom in Africa, the platform aids firms dealing with international suppliers, teams, and customers. It is now available for organizations scaling globally.
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