The Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC’s) readiness to begin full deployment and implementation in the country is at 97 per cent, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has said.
Danbatta re-affirmed the status of the Commission’s 5G technology deployment at the annual African Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTech 2021) held in Lagos on Wednesday, with the theme: “Embracing Changes and Digital Transformation in the New Normal.”
In his presentation on “NCC as a Digital Transformation Crusader and Nigeria’s in-Road to 5G Deployment,” Danbatta said due to the network traffic demand, the NCC is working with operators to implement a number of initiatives to ensure network expansion. These, he said, include an ongoing plan to auction spectrum in 3.5 gigahertz (Ghz) band to operators for the deployment of 5G network in Nigeria.
Danbatta said: “Consistent with our mandate as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (NCA-2003) and other guiding legislations, we have been working to ensure the penetration of broadband services in line with Federal Government’s targets, as contained in Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020 to 2025.
“Already, we are set for the auction of some spectrum slots in the 3.5GHz band. The other day I was at the National assembly, I informed the senate that we were 95 per cent ready for 5G. Today as we speak, I am delighted to tell you that we are already at 97 percent completion,”
“The Committee set up to auction the Spectrum has already developed an Information Memorandum (IM) which is already published for inputs and comments from all industry stakeholders. Prior to this, a 5G deployment plan was developed and we have since secured Federal Government’s approval.”
Dailytrust