By Chioma Iruke
The Nigerian Government has approved the National Policy on fifth generation (5G) network in the country.
This was made known by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, who addressed journalists in Abuja after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Pantami explained that the benefits that accrue from employing such network include larger capacity, higher data rates among other economic, health, security and educational opportunities.
According to the minister, the radiation from the 5G has proven to be lower than the 4G, televisions or micro waves, contrary to stories peddled on social media.
In telecommunications, 5G is the fifth generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks, which cellular phone companies began deploying worldwide in 2019, and is the planned successor to the 4G networks which provide connectivity to most current cellphones.
Reacting to the security situation in the North-West, he clarified that telecommunications shut down in Zamfara State did emanate from him, but was at the request of security institutions to enhance their strategies.
Pantami indicated that the government is willing to take any action, including compromising economic benefits to render full support towards the security of the country.
The Minister thus declined to disclose if the same measure would extend to other states affected by banditry.
