By Kingsley I. Ilechukwu, Correspondent Lagos
With so much happening in the telecommunications industry, and the expectation of the Fifth Generation (5G) technology services in Nigeria, eBusiness Life Communication Limited has concluded arrangements for an event that will draw stakeholders to review the gains and painpoints of Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) in the past 20 years. The event will also preview the gains, expected challenges and building blocks to be put in place before the 5G licences are granted.
The event, which has now received the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) backing, is billed to hold on November 5, 2021 at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki Road, Victoria Island Lagos.
The nod from the nation’s telecommunications regulator underscores the need for a stakeholder discussion on the issues on the event front burner.
According to the organisers, the forum will seek to answer questions that include how well Nigeria has fared in the past 20 years of GSM evolution in the country.
Publisher and CEO of eBusiness Life, UfuomaEmuophedaro raised further questions: “For GSM @ 20, what mistakes have we made, and can they be corrected now? How can we achieve the ubiquitous coverage we need? Is our infrastructure situation what it should be, and how do we better it?
On 5G, how ready are the service providers? What are the expectations from the regulator and other public sector stakeholders? How ready are entrepreneurs and tech Startups? How ready are other sector operators to latch unto revolutionary 5G technology? Are there policies in place that will ensure that the consumers are well protected in terms or charges and service provisions? Are there collaborative opportunities? What do we expect and how do we tackle the expected rise in cyber insecurity that the technology will attract?”
Having cleared some air on the erroneous negative beliefs about 5G technology, MrsEmuophedaro said it is time to highlight the benefits, opportunities and positive impacts the technology will have on the nation’s technological advancement, and the economy at large.
With the theme, “GSM @ 20, Setting The Stage For The 5G Journey – Requirements, Deployment and Challenges”, the event will afford stakeholders the opportunity to discuss the level of preparedness of ICT stakeholders to embrace the challenge of being pivotal to the stability and growth of all other sectors through 5G deployment.
The event, which is expected to have the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami; EVC/CEO of the Nigerian Communication Commission, (NCC) Prof. Umar Danbatta; Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator OluremiTinubu; and Chairman House of Rep. Committee on Communications, Hon. AkeemAdeyemi, as well as Captains of industry in attendance, will bring together Mobile Network Operators, telecom service providers , infrastructure companies, cybersecurity companies, among other to discuss the past, the present and the future of digital communication in Nigeria.
Strict COVID-19 safety protocols will be observed at the venue of the event.
