NCC Issues Final Letters Of Licence Award To 5G Spectrum

MTN and Mafab Communications have received final letters of award of Fifth Generation (5G) Spectrum Licences from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Director, NCC Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

The two corporations won the commission's 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum auction in December 2021.

The commission's management, led by its Executive Vice-Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, confirmed the development to the Board of Commissioners at a Special Meeting, according to Adinde.

"With the issuing of the final letters of awards of 5G spectrum, and in accordance with the 5G auction's Information Memorandum (IM), the two licensees are now anticipated to speed 5G network deployment.

"This would catapult Nigeria into a more strong Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and a more digitized Nigerian economy in the international community.

"The licensees are expected to begin the implementation of 5G services, effective August 24, 2022, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the 5G license," he stated.

When the 5G network is fully operational, Adinde believes it would provide a slew of benefits and opportunities for the country's faster growth and smart life.

"With the issuing of the final letters of awards of 5G spectrum, and in accordance with the 5G auction's Information Memorandum (IM), the two licensees are now anticipated to speed 5G network deployment.

"This would catapult Nigeria into a more strong Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and a more digitized Nigerian economy in the international community.

"The licensees are expected to begin the implementation of 5G services, effective August 24, 2022, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the 5G license," he stated.

When the 5G network is fully operational, Adinde believes it would provide a slew of benefits and opportunities for the country's faster growth and smart life.

"The National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, as well as other sectoral initiatives aimed at accelerating Nigeria's digital transformation.

"The licensees are expected to meet their 5G network rollout responsibilities on schedule," he said.

According to Adinde, the NCC will compel the corporate sector and government to work together to improve every part of the country's economy with 5G.

He predicted that this would result in a larger transformation than the nation has seen with the 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks.