NCC: 5G network has no negative health effects

NCC Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Umar Danbatta

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has reassured Nigerians that the new Fifth Generation network, 5G, has no negative health effects.

The Enugu Zonal Controller of the NCC, Ogbonnaya Ugama, said this in Enugu on Saturday at a round table with members of the Association of Heads of Federal Establishments (AHFEs).

Ugama stated that there was no convincing evidence associated with emissions from electromagnetic devices including handsets were harmful to the body.

He noted that international bodies including the World Health Organisation (WHO) established a threshold that there is no solid evidence that 5G causes negative health effects on humans and animals.

The controller however, advised users not to hold these electromagnetic devices like handsets close to their body if they have doubts.

“NCC will do everything possible to guarantee the safety of the citizenry and ensure that every equipment with set standards is approved,” he said.

Ugama reiterated the benefits of the 5G network saying that it was designed to increase speed, reduce latency and improve flexibility of wireless services.

“5G has theoretical peak speed of 20 Gigabytes per Second (GBPS) while the peak speed of 4G is only one GBPS.

“5G can transform the Nigeria’s economy, dwelling on its projected impact in sectors of education, finance, security, agriculture, healthcare, entertainment and even governance,” Ugama said.

He stated that Nigeria was the third country in Africa that has rolled out the 5G network, adding that it was operational in six states (Lagos, Imo, Borno, Kano, Rivers, Oyo, and Abuja).

Ugama said the network would be extended to other states by 2025.

The Star

Segun Ojo