The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, yesterday posited that the deployment of 5G network in Nigeria will help to achieve the digital economy objectives of the federal government.
Prof. Danbatta, who took this position at a stakeholders’ consultative forum on the draft information memorandum for the 3.5GHz spectrum auction, organized by the Commission in Lagos also noted 5G technology does not only offer enhanced broadband and ultra-reliable low latency communications, but provides massive machine type communications.
“With 5G, lots of devices will seamlessly connect and interact independently with the Internet without human intervention. Thus, enabling our Smart City Initiatives and making Broadband Use Cases a reality. This is tandem with the federal government digital economy objectives,” he said.
He said this is why the government has put in efforts and resources to secure amongst others the contiguous Spectrum in the 3.5GHz premium band with about 70% of 5G global deployment so far. “It has become imperative to immediately license the 3.5GHz band in Nigeria for the deployment of 5G services,” he added.
According to the former University lecturer, the NCC has developed a 5G policy plan and through the Minister of Communications and Digital economy secured the approval of the Federal Government for the deployment of 5G in Nigeria.
In addition, the Commission constituted a committee to auction some slots in the 3.5GHz band for the deployment of 5G services, leading to the setting up of a Committee, which has since gone to work and developed a draft Information Memorandum (IM) for the Auction of the 3.5GHz band.
“As you may be aware, we published the draft IM on our website to enable our stakeholders peruse and make inputs and comments. We are here today, to deliberate on those areas you think may need improvements. It is expected that at the end of this forum, we all shall be part of the future in the management and utilization of this resource in line with global best practices,” he stated.