Nigerian government Approves Microsoft Enterprise Agreement on 5G services

The Federal Executive Council has approved an Enterprise Licensing agreement for Microsoft Products and the clearing up of C-band Spectrum, to accelerate the deployment of 5G services in Nigeria.

This took place during the meeting of the Council in Abuja on Wednesday and the presentation of 3 memos by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami.

The Government-wide Enterprise Licensing Agreement for Microsoft products is a software acquisition cost-reduction strategy for the government and would be implemented by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

The Technical Assistant to the Minister, Dr.Femi Adeluyi, said the agreement is part of the Nigerian Government’s efforts towards keeping the cost of IT projects within sustainable levels.

Adeluyi said; “the Agreement will give the government access to discounted prices and other cost benefits, as well as reduce project duplication across Federal Public Institutions (FPIs)”

“It will also guarantee proper technical support for Microsoft products and services, thereby ensuring protection against  cybersecurity threats, which will guarantee availability and reliability of government IT services.”

He noted that “the Enterprise Licensing Agreement will also provide a projected savings of a minimum of 35% of Governments current investment in Microsoft Products and Services.

“This will not only substantially reduce the cost of license procurement for FPIs, it will reduce and simplify licensing complexity, facilitate accounting and cash flow predictability and monitor utilisation and impact of Government investment.

“The Council directed all FPIs to key into the Agreement in the procurement of Microsoft licenses and services.”

Adeluyi further disclosed that “the Council also approved the request of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to clear part of the C-band spectrum within the country’s telecommunications industry of any encumbrances and migrate the current users on affected spectrum, towards the successful roll-out/deployment of 5G technology in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, with seven and a half (7.5) years before the end of the lifetime of NigComSat-1R Satellite, operated by Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), which currently operates C-Band services on the 3.4 – 3.9GHz spectrum range, NCC and NIGCOMSAT have come to an agreement to relocate/migrate the operations of NigComSat-1R C Band service to another frequency (Standard C Band) and release its current frequency for immediate deployment of 5G in the country.”

The approved memos would accelerate the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), especially the pillars on solid infrastructure (broadband) and service infrastructure (platforms).

Adeluyi added that “the Ministry would continue to promote initiatives that will transform Nigeria into a country with a sustainable and thriving digital economy.”

Mercy Chukwudiebere