The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has assured Nigerians that the opening of additional spectrum bands, including the 6GHz and 60GHz, will significantly enhance the quality of telecommunications services across the country.
Atiku Lawal, Head of the NCC’s Spectrum Services Department, gave the assurance on Tuesday during the ongoing spectrum roadmap stakeholders consultation forum in Abuja.
He said the commission’s initiative is aimed not only at improving service quality but also at expanding access to underserved areas.
“We are opening two spectrum bands, six gigahertz and the 60 gigahertz band.
“This is not just to improve voice and data quality, but also to enable innovations, because telecommunications today is not only about calling relatives.
”Nigerians are conducting business, making bank transactions, and engaging in other digital activities. The goal is to ensure everyone enjoys high-quality telecom services, ” he said.
When asked how soon Nigerians might expect these improvements, Lawal said, “From experience, I can say before the end of this year.”
Speaking virtually at the forum, Martha Suarez, representative of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA), highlighted the transformative potential of the 6GHz band.
She said the new spectrum would support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, and critical sectors like agriculture, while enabling Internet of Things (IoT) applications, smart homes, factories, and immersive technologies such as augmented, virtual, and extended reality.
“The 6GHz band provides larger channel bandwidth, which is essential for modern technologies,” Suarez said.
Experts believe that the deployment of these spectrum bands will pave the way for faster internet speeds, improved network reliability, and innovative digital services that could accelerate Nigeria’s digital economy and foster technological growth.
The consultation forum, which brought together telecom stakeholders, regulators, and technology experts, also emphasised the need for inclusive access, ensuring that rural and underserved communities benefit from the spectrum rollout.
