Bmobile to discuss progress of 5G service with minister

TELECOMMUNICATION service provider bmobile will engage with the Minister for Information Communication Technology Timothy Masiu for discussion on the progress of the 5G service.
A spokesman who was responding yesterday following Masiu’s statement stopping bmobile and strategic partner Huawei from progressing further with the 5G trial, said all parties would continue discussing the launch of the service after senior management returned from holidays.
“Our feedback for now is that bmobile will engage with the minister for discussion once our senior management return from holidays,” the spokesman told The National.
On Dec 19, a prelaunch for the trial of 5G service was held in Port Moresby with a memorandum of understanding signed between bmobile and Huawei PNG which Masiu witnessed.
Masiu, in a statement released on Sunday, said that since the event, there had been a wide range of discussions and debate within the ICT community on issues with 5G technology. “5G is the next generation of mobile wireless network technology that will augment and may eventually replace 2G/3G and 4G LTE technology,” he said.
“New technology is always initially expensive, has certain high risks factors, but if comprehensively researched and understood well, it can be harnessed to have excellent applications and benefits for our people.”
Masiu said the Department of Communication and Information Technology would administer a thorough research on 5G technology and this was to include potential health risks of 5G technology.
He said Kumul Technology Holdings Ltd (KTHL) would be requested to work closely with the department to undertake comprehensive awareness to key stakeholders and the general public on 5G technology to understand its proven benefits and risks.
Huawei representatives could not be reached for comment yesterday.