Nigeria is preparing to join the ranks of over 70 countries that have either opened or are considering opening the 6GHz frequency band for unlicensed Wi-Fi use. This move, according to Engineer Atiku Lawal, acting head of Spectrum Administration at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is aimed at improving the capacity and quality of Wi-Fi services across the country.
Speaking at the NCC’s annual Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies, Lawal highlighted the potential impact of the 6GHz band on easing the pressure on cellular networks. He explained that with more devices using Wi-Fi in homes, offices, airports, and institutions, offloading them from cellular networks will alleviate capacity constraints, leading to a more efficient and reliable internet experience.
“With the current congestion in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, it’s no surprise that more than 70 countries have acted or are considering acting to open the 6GHz band for unlicensed Wi-Fi use,” Lawal said. “This decision will expand available spectrum by two to three times, allowing for larger channels that will support new Wi-Fi 6 standards, ideal for digital transformation efforts like high-definition video and extended reality (XR).”
Lawal also noted that discussions on the 6GHz band had been ongoing at various International Telecommunications Union (ITU) conferences and culminated in recommendations at the 2023 World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-23) in Dubai. Following the outcomes of WRC-23, Nigeria is now considering the best approach to adopting the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi 6 and International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) applications.
The forum featured several expert presentations, including perspectives from the academic community, industry players, and the Wi-Fi Alliance on topics such as spectrum sharing between microwave and Wi-Fi and the role of Wi-Fi in a digitally driven economy.
Lawal assured stakeholders that their input would be integral to the NCC’s final decisions on 6GHz spectrum allocation, ensuring that the country maximizes the socioeconomic benefits of this technological shift. “The Commission remains committed to engaging stakeholders in our regulatory processes, particularly as we work towards adopting the 6GHz band for IMT services,” he added.
