NCC’s Ongoing Efforts to Deploy 5G Technology Expected to Transform Nigeria’s Entertainment Industry

In its continued endeavors to facilitate the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) technology, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) aims to unleash a wave of innovation and creativity within the country’s entertainment industry. This push is expected to significantly enhance the industry’s productivity and bolster its contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), propelling it to unprecedented heights.

The visionary behind these efforts is Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. In a recent keynote address delivered at the esteemed Nollywood Economic Outlook (NEO 2022) event in Lagos, Danbatta shed light on the transformative potential of 5G technology within the creative sector. Attended by influential personalities from Nollywood and other crucial stakeholders in the industry, the event served as a platform to recognize the NCC’s pivotal role in fostering digital connectivity to expedite Nigeria’s economic growth and advance the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the country.

Under the theme “Leveraging 5G Technology for the Advancement of the Creative Industry,” Danbatta, represented by Grace Ojougboh, the NCC’s Head of Media and Public Relations, emphasized that 5G technology has the power to revolutionize content production, distribution, and consumption. Moreover, he underscored the need for creative industry practitioners to harness the immense potential of 5G to expand the industry’s frontiers and drive its next phase of growth.

Danbatta outlined the various ways in which 5G technology would disrupt existing media business models within the creative industry. By unlocking new technologies and catering to wider audiences, 5G will unleash a new wave of applications, enabling broadcasters to transmit footage back to their base in record time, thus creating expanded coverage opportunities.

Furthermore, 5G networks will catalyze business transformation, driving higher productivity improvements through the seamless flow of real-time information. This optimization of business functions will pave the way for the creation of novel value chains for customers, leveraging advancements in web technology and search engines. The subsequent development and widespread adoption of Over-the-top (OTT) services are expected to be among the direct outcomes of this progression.

Danbatta also highlighted how 5G networks would revolutionize the way video content is delivered, as Over-the-top (OTT) platforms and applications will be able to offer high-quality video content over the internet, surpassing traditional cable or satellite television. With the innovative capabilities enabled by 5G, viewers will enjoy a seamless experience when streaming videos on mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, web televisions using solutions like Chromecast, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and even Smart TVs.

Undoubtedly, 5G connectivity presents a golden opportunity to enhance the overall viewer experience, particularly as demands for high-quality content and streaming continue to rise. With lightning-fast download speeds up to 10 times faster than current networks and significantly reduced latency, 5G will ensure highly reliable video-on-demand services, taking the OTT experience to new heights.

The advent of 5G technology also provides the creative industry with an unprecedented opportunity to gain deeper insights into future requirements, explore innovative creative formats, develop cutting-edge mobile video capabilities, forge strategic partnerships, and refine data collection practices and database requirements.

Danbatta concluded his address by asserting that 5G technology is poised to redefine the way people live and work, ushering in the much-anticipated Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and fueling rapid social and economic development across Nigeria.

In addition to shedding light on the potential of 5G, Danbatta utilized the platform to apprise the audience of the policy and regulatory efforts spearheaded by the Nigerian government, particularly the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the NCC. These efforts have culminated in the licensing of spectrum resources, a crucial step towards the successful deployment of 5G networks throughout the country.

The NEO 2022 forum’s host, Sunny McDon, Executive Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), emphasized the importance of focusing on the impact of 5G technology on the creative industry, businesses, and Nigeria’s socio-economic development. Similarly, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, represented by Mr. Idowu Johnson, stressed the need for building lasting structures to sustain the growth of the creative industry.

As Nigeria embarks on the path to deploying 5G technology, the nation anticipates a profound transformation within its entertainment industry. The convergence of advanced connectivity and artistic prowess is set to position Nigeria as a global leader in technological innovation and creative excellence.

ncc.gov.ng