1.1 Introduction
Four Generation (4G) Technology is more of a marketing term more than a technical specification, while carriers feel justified in using the 4G label because it lets the customer know that he can expect high speed of data transfer. The expectation from 4G is high audio / video streaming over end to end Internet Protocol. Long Term Evolution (LTE) is sometimes also called 4G, which will be able to provide 150Mbps rates download rates for moving users and 1Gbps for stationary users. The main features of 4G services which are of interest to users are application adaptability and high dynamism users traffic, radio environment, air interfaces and quality of services. The goals for security with respect to communication networks are to ensure that the information being generated and transmitted by the users is protected against misuse and misappropriation.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
In 4G supportive devices, due to large number of transmitters and receivers, the battery seems to run off quite quickly. With the help of Large Scale Integration devices are also becoming smaller in size. Hence to design devices with enhanced battery life, a much powerful Li-on battery was made to increase the battery backup. However the size of the device would also increase. Other solutions were to develop a fast charger for such devices. Constant voltage charging was introduced in an attempt to force the battery voltage to a pre-set value.
Most importantly network connections are strong even when the user is on the move and towers locations are changing. Technologies that contribute to the 4G system include Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), which are designed to carry more data by splitting radio signals that are broadcast over different frequencies and are immune to interference. The data transfer rates depends on number of available channels to be used. These channels are now cleaner thanks to adaptive processing which detects interference on a channel and improves reception by actively switching channels. 4G systems also use the smart antenna technologies which are used to aim the radio signal in the direction of the receiver from the base station. When teamed up, adaptive processing and multiple antennas help to nullify all kinds of interference in the channels.
Information and communication technology (ICT) offers the promise of fundamentally changing the lives of much of the world’s population. In its various forms, ICT affects many of the processes of government and business, how individuals live, work and interact, and the quality of the natural and built environment. The development of internationally comparable ICT statistics is essential for governments to be able to adequately design, implement, monitor and evaluate ICT policies (Madueme, 2010).
Most developing nations including Nigeria have embarked on various reforms that foster the use of ICTs in their economies. These reforms tend to yield little or minimal benefits to economic growth and development, especially when compared with the developed countries of the world. Technological advancement is known to impact fast rate of economic development. In Nigeria, policy on adoption of Information and Communication Technologies was initiated in 1999, when the civilian regime came into power of government. The operations of the licensed telecommunication service providers in the country has created some well-felt macroeconomic effects in terms of job creation, faster delivery services, reduced transport costs, greater security and higher national output (Emmanuel and Adebayo, 2011).
Attempts to ensure sustainable economic development and poverty reduction of most nations usually involve the development of agriculture, mining, industrial as well as the service sectors. The Industrial Revolutions in Europe and America, generally and specifically, have been premised on technological breakthroughs. During the late 1990s, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was the largest contributor to growth within capital services for both Canada and the United States (Harchaoui, 2002). Similar trend has been observed with the economic development of China, Korea, Taiwan, India, South Africa, and other emerging economic powers (Fuss and Waverman, 2005).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Impact of 4G Technology on the Nigerians Economic Growth and Development.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the 4G technology speed of wireless and web-based applications would tremendously increase, it would not occur without a fee. This fee is not unusually high however, with the reduction in this fee comes cheap deployment of this technology which can disrupt the channels. Also since many people are being connected over this network, they need to be aware of the security threats they are opposing on themselves.
In Nigeria, provision of public infrastructure is grossly inadequate and poor. Necessary telecommunication services, as public infrastructure, needed for meaningful investment are lacking and, where found, are very costly. Tele-density in Nigeria is still very low.
The introduction of the GSM in Nigeria was to expand the tele-density in the country and to make telephone services cheaper and accessible to the common person as it had been introduced in some African countries like South Africa, Ghana, and Benin Republic among others. GSM is ICT based telecommunication that can contribute to the growth and development of any nation.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to analyze the Impact of 4G Technology on the Nigerians Economic Growth and Development. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the impact of 4G Technology on the Nigerians Economic Growth and Development;
- To identify ways by which 4G technology can contribute to economic growth and development; and
- To determine the factor inhibiting the utilization of 4G technology in all sectors of the Nigerian economy.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the Impact of 4G Technology on the Nigerians Economic Growth and Development?
- What are the ways by which 4G technology can contribute to economic growth and development?
- What are the factors inhibiting the utilization of 4G technology in all sectors of the Nigerian economy?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: 4G technology has not contributed immensely to Nigerian economic growth and development.
- H1: 4G technology has contributed immensely to Nigerian economic growth and development.
1.7 Significance of Study
The following are the significance of this study:
- The outcome of this study will be a useful guide to the government of Nigeria, policy makers and the general public on how four generation (4G) technology can be used as a tool for economic growth and development of Nigeria.
- This research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic.
1.8 Scope of Study
This study on the impact of 4G Technology on Nigerian economic growth and development will covers every area of 4G Technology used in Nigeria and its effect on the economic growth and development.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
