Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) says the commission is optimistic that 5G services will be much available across the country by the fourth quarter of 2022.
This was disclosed Thursday, by the head of Spectrum Administration, NCC, Usman Aliyu, while addressing ICT journalist on 5G deployment at a capacity building workshop organized for by the commission in Abuja.
Aliyu said, major arrangements is ongiong to ensure that the commission meet up with it’s target of delivering 5G services across the country as promised.
He said the commission has commenced cleaning of the Bands with the migration of the FSS users from 3.4-3.8 GHz spectrum, following the ratification of the use of Nigerian Communications Satellite by the National Frequency Management Council.
He noted that when achieved, it will upgrade communication services in the country which will also boost the Nigerian economy by enhancing the education, health and financial sector through essential service delivery.
Aliyu said Nigeria became the first country in Africa to successfully conduct a full 5G spectrum auction without involving the services of a consultant.
“5G auction committee was constituted, information memorandum was developed, consultation on memorandum carried out, key stakeholders responded, corrections were made on IM before auction.
“Five options were made ad two were made available. Hopefully by Q4 this year, we should have 5G services in the country. The current status involves inflation and increase in exchange rate that affects cost of services; quality and adequate power supply, relocating of services, guard band provision, coordination with neighboring countries,” he said.
Recall that the 5G Spectrum auction of 3.45 GHz spectrum was conducted in late 2021 went through 11 rounds and exceeded the revenue projection from the reserve price of $199,374,000.
The auction came to an end with MTN and Mafab becoming the highest bidders with an exit bid of $273 million, while Airtel posted a final bid of $270 million.
In total, the auction generated proceeds of $22.5 billion.