Senate To Probe 5G Deployment After Minister Of Coms. Isa Pantami Contradicts MTN Nigeria

The presence of 5G network in Nigeria is being probed by the Senate. The investigation into the next generation of network commenced after several claims that MTN Nigeria and other telecommunication companies had began to deploy 5G and it’s one of the reasons for coronavirus outbreak.

The Committees on Communications, Health, Science and Technology and ICT and Cyber Crimes of the Senate are said to be leading the investigation.

Aside from probing the status of the 5G network in the country, the committees will also focus on the impact of the 5G technology on Nigerians.

Report on the investigation is expected to be made available to the Senate by the Committees four weeks from now. According to the Vanguard, the Senate pushed for the investigation after Senator Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Anambra Central, moved a motion in the Upper Chamber.

Will the Senate discover lies?

Recall that controversy had trailed the 5G network after former lawmaker, Dino Melaye and Christ Embassy Pastor, Chris Oyakhilome, criticized the technology. While the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, denied that it had issued 5G network license, MTN Nigeria had launched a 5G-demo last year.

Pantami said, “The National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), of which I am the Chairman, has not deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G. No license has been issued for the deployment of 5G in the country.”

Today, we get to experience the future, LIVE in Abuja as we launch the first official 5G Demo in Nigeria, in partnership with Huawei. Get ready for an exclusive sneak peek into the world of 5G! #MTN5GDemo #ExperienceTheFuture #GoodTogether

— MTN Nigeria (@MTNNG) November 25, 2019

But in November 2019, MTN Nigeria launched its 5G-demo network in partnership with Huawei in Abuja, with Pantami present at the launch. Also, MTN Nigeria in a statement had disclosed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) gave it a spectrum for trial in November 2019. The network provider said it will commercially deploy 5G technology in Nigeria before 2020. 

We are Live in Calabar for the second 5G Demo in Partnership with ZTE. Join the live stream on Instagram @MTNNG and Facebook @MTNNigeria for an exclusive peek into the world of 5G #MTN5GDemo #ExperienceTheFuture #GoodTogether

— MTN Nigeria (@MTNNG) November 28, 2019