ATCON, ALTON clear doubts over 5G as NCC debunks conspiracy theory

Critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s telecom sector have reacted to the controversy trailing the 5G network that it is connected with the global outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Numerous conspiracy theories shared on and off social media have contended the new network generates radiofrequency radiation that can damage DNA and lead to cancer; cause oxidative damage that can cause premature aging; disrupt cell metabolism; and potentially lead to other diseases through the generation of stress proteins.

Association of Telecoms Companies Operators of Nigeria (ATCON), the umbrella Association of all telecommunications companies in Nigeria, under the presidency of Engr Olusola Teniola, in a statement stated that the purported claims that 5G is responsible for COVID-19 is baseless and it should be discountenanced by Nigerians as what it is a false information.

Engr Teniola stated that the claims have not been substantiated, by any conclusive empirical evidence, by either the World Health Organization or other health research institutions.

He also added that there has been no issuance of 5G Licence to any of its members to build and deploy 5G network in Nigeria by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Similarly, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) also corroborated the position of ATCON.

In a statement signed by the Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo and its Head of Operations, Gbolahan Awonuga, ALTON dismissed the controversy, describing those peddling the controversy as being ignorant tirades occasioned by the morbid fear of the rampaging Coronavirus.

“There is no iota of truth that 5G Technology is the cause of the Coronavirus pandemic. The virus is also spreading in places without 5G networks like Nigeria. There are many parts of the world that do not have 5G coverage yet but are still affected by the virus.”

ALTON explained Nigeria progressed from1G to the current 4G which most networks offer to their subscribers today, but stressed that even with all the virtues of the novel 5G, our BTS Sites across the country are still bereft of this technology.

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