Internet speed: Nigeria set to join South Africa, Morocco as NCC plans to introduce 6GHz spectrum

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday said it has begun moves to harness the 6GHz spectrum for improved internet speed in Nigeria. The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, disclosed this during a Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies in Lagos.

Represented by the Executive Commissioner of Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, Maida noted that the 6GHz band offers significantly faster data rates and transmission speeds, making it ideal for the expanding digital landscape in Nigeria.

According to him, deploying this higher spectrum became necessary as the current 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands have faced capacity constraints. With this move, Nigeria joins South Africa and Morocco as African countries deploying the 6GHz spectrum.

Maida explained that in enterprise environments, Wi-Fi is vital for managing large volumes of data and connecting multiple devices simultaneously with enhanced reliability, higher data speeds, and lower delays.

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By integrating the 6GHz band into the nation’s spectrum portfolio, the commission hopes to alleviate network congestion and provide a more robust internet experience. Head, of Spectrum Administration at the NCC, Atiku Lawal the overcrowded airwaves were currently limiting the potential of Wi-Fi in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

He added that implementing the 6GHz would provide two to three times the spectrum available today. This is also expected to result in the ability to implement 80MHz and 160 MHz channels that are available for the new Wi-Fi 6 standard ideal to support digital transformation efforts and use cases like high-definition video and X Reality (XR).

The commission’s decision to open the 6GHz frequency band for unlicensed Wi-Fi use is poised to revolutionize broadband connectivity in Nigeria. This move will significantly enhance internet services, providing faster and more reliable connections. With the advent of Wi-Fi 6, users can expect higher data rates and increased capacity, making it ideal for high-demand environments such as stadiums, airports and offices,” he said. 

Similarly, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, urged the Federal Government to support telecom operators in upgrading to the new 6GHz spectrum. Speaking on behalf of Adebayo, the Executive Secretary of ALTON, Gbolahan Awonuga, highlighted the financial difficulties faced by operators in expanding their networks.

“We need money to upgrade our infrastructure and import equipment, so as for us to benefit from the 6GHz. Our members are struggling to expand their infrastructure. We appeal to the federal government to come to our aid”, he said.

6GHz spectrum: what you need to know

The 6GHz spectrum spans from 5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz frequency. It is used for wireless communications, particularly for Wi-Fi 6E and other advanced technologies and offers several benefits for wireless communication, including faster data rates and transmission speeds than previous bands.

The numbers 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz refer to the specific RF frequency bands approved for unlicensed wireless use. A lower number means fewer wave pattern repetitions over time and therefore a longer wave with longer range, while a higher number means more repetitions that can transmit more data over shorter distances.

For context, 1 hertz (Hz) represents one repetition per second, and 1 gigahertz (GHz) represents one billion repetitions per second.

A simple way of understanding wireless connectivity is to think of each frequency band as a different type of road and channels as the number and width of the lanes each road can support. 2.4GHz is similar to a one-lane country road that isn’t designed for heavy traffic but can take you farther into rougher landscapes.

The 5GHz is like a multilane freeway that is commonly used as an alternative to country roads and is often congested even though it’s larger. The latest band, 6 GHz, is much larger and has many more high-speed lanes exclusive to the newest and fastest vehicles.

The 6 GHz is only available on newer, generally more advanced devices. With fewer devices currently on the 6 GHz band and more available channels, users will experience less congestion and interference from legacy Wi-Fi devices.