The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says MTN and Mafab Communications, are to begin the rollout of fifth-generation technology services (5G) in August 2022.
This came after it handed over the final letters of award of 5G spectrum licences to winners of the 3.5GHz spectrum auctions last year December.
With the issuance of the final letters of award of the 5G spectrum and in line with the Auction’s Information Memorandum (IM), the two licensees are now expected to accelerate the deployment of the 5G network that will usher Nigeria into a more robust Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and a more digitised Nigerian economy.
A statement signed by the Spokesman of the Commission disclosed that in line with the terms and conditions of the 5G license, the licensees are expected to commence rolling out 5G services effective from August 24, 2022.
MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communication emerged as the two successful winners of the 3.5gigahertz(GHz) spectrum auction for the deployment of 5G technology while Airtel had opted out of the bid.
After 11 rounds of bidding for eight hours, the winners emerged.
The commission had fixed the minimum price of $197.4 million, and the two winners got the nod of the regulator at $273 million each.
The Commission said the 5G network will provide a lot of benefits and opportunities that will accelerate growth and smart living in the country.
It added that the technology is also expected to bring substantial network improvements, including higher connection speed, mobility and capacity, as well as low-latency capabilities.
After the government handed over the 5G policy to the commission, on February 24, NCC acknowledged the full payment of $273.6 million each by the two spectrum winners, in addition to the spectrum assignment fee paid by MTN, for the 5G spectrum licence.
According to the Commission “It is optimistic that effective implementation of the National Policy on 5G will accelerate the actualisation of the national targets in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, as well as other sectoral policies designed to enhance Nigeria’s digital transformation
“While the licensees are expected to meet the timetable regarding their 5G network rollout obligations, the NCC requires collective efforts and support of the private sector and government toward transforming every aspect of the nation’s economy through 5G, which will herald greater transformation than what the nation witnessed with the 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G.”
PIAK
