The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), today disclosed it is set to roll out regulations on infrastructure sharing, which will help telecom operators lease spectrum to one another and ultimately, move the industry forward.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta disclosed this at the Demo launch of 5G Network in Lagos.
According to him, the infrastructure sharing regulation is still at the draft stage and is aimed at addressing some of the infrastructure challenges in the industry, especially the spectrum which he described as a scarce resource.
“NCC is looking at rolling out infrastructure sharing regulation, which is still at the draft stage. We believe such regulation will be able to resolve the issues of the spectrum as it will help operators to lease spectrum to one another and move the telecom industry forward,” Danbatta, who was represented at the event by Mr. Henry Ojiokpota, NCC’s Lagos Zonal Coordinator told journalists on the sideline.
He also disclosed that the telecom regulator is still consulting with the national assembly with regards to the national infrastructure bill, which he said is at the final stage. He said once the bill becomes active, telecom infrastructures across the country will be protected.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission has expressed excitement with the Demo launch of 5GNetwork by MTN Nigeria, noting 5G is the key to the future that will support significantly faster mobile broadband speeds, which is one of the Commission’s agenda.
“ 5G represents the bedrock of future communications and Nigeria cannot afford not to be part of that future. “NCC is excited with what MTN is doing today because they are actually opening up the future,” Ojiokpota said.
He said the commercial launch of 5G will support businesses’ innovative ambitions and create new markets, transforming supply chain management and creating smarter, more efficient manufacturing.
MTN Nigeria started the Demo launch of the 5G Network in Abuja last week. It proceeded to Calabar, South-West Nigeria and now Lagos.