At the 3.5GHz spectrum auction in Abuja, the Nigerian Communications Commission reaffirmed its commitment to deepening broadband penetration, consumer protection, and smart infrastructure development in order to drive the country’s evolving digital economy.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has explained the vital significance of Fifth Generation (5G) networks in extending Broadband penetration, consumer protection, and smart infrastructure deployment in driving the digital economy for Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, FNSE, FRAES, FAENG, FNIEEE, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), stated this in his welcome remarks at the historic 3.5 Gigahertz (Ghz) sprectrum band auction event held on Monday, December 13, 2021, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, FCT.
Prof. Danbatta described the event as a “momentous auction that would usher in a new era in the deployment of mobile technology services in Nigeria.”
The auction, according to the EVC/CEO of the telecoms sector regulatory commission, will welcome Nigeria into “the exclusive league of countries delivering 5G service across the globe.”
Broadband penetration, consumer well-being, and infrastructure upgrades are all factors to consider.
While praising his involvement in the spectrum auction process, Danbatta stated that the NCC Board and management have decided to reposition the Commission on “a path that will ensure the uptake of all the opportunities that abound in the communications sector” in the country since President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, brought him and his team on board in 2015.
We pledged to increase broadband penetration, safeguard customers, and develop infrastructure in a cost-effective manner across the country.
“We also committed to playing a strategic role in promoting the digital economy to help the government’s economic diversification goal,” he said.
The Commission has overseen the execution of policies for effective communications resource management, strategic collaboration and partnership, promoting broadband penetration, and improving Quality of Service (QoS)/Quality of Experience, according to the NCC’s EVC/CEO (QoE).
Danbatta continued, “Through these initiatives and efforts, the telecoms regulator has ensured participation in ITU events and other international fora in order to stay abreast of global developments in the communications industry.”
Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami
He also discussed how the NCC produced the Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), the Strategic Management Plan, and activated the National Broadband Plan (NBP) and the National Digital Economy Plan and Strategy (NDEPS) in terms of regulatory frameworks.
“The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has made tremendous contributions to these objectives,” he stated.
Prof. Pantami has been “a driver and facilitator of all the Commission’s initiatives, and his leadership of the telecoms sector has been an indispensable ingredient in all the achievements of the last two years,” according to Danbatta.
Danbatta stated that the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC -19) observed the hamonized Frequency Spectrum bands being allocated for the implementation of 5G technology in countries around the world, referring to the Commission’s international involvement.
He further stated that the international allocations resulted in the permission of a 5G technology trial in Nigeria in November 2019.
The EVC/CEO further said that, as a result of the favorable conclusion, the Federal Government approved the Nigeria 5G Deployment Policy on September 8, 2021.
“Therefore, in line with the 5G Deployment Policy and global best practices, the Commission has set in motion the process for the auction and will be offering two (2) lots in the 3.5GHz band with three (3) companies competing to acquire a licence for the available lots,” Danbatta stated in his address at the spectrum band auction in Abuja.
“The auction is based on the authority conferred on the Commission by Section 121 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, as well as the Licensing Regulations 2019,” he added.
Prof. Adeolu Akande, Chairman, Board of Commissioners of NCC, said in his speech at the 3.5GHz spectrum auction event on Monday that the major goal of the historic sale is to enable the construction of 5G networks in Nigeria, not merely to offer a premium frequency.
The implementation of 5G networks, according to the NCC Board Chairman, has been identified as a vital factor for the growth of the national digital economy.
“The full socioeconomic benefits of 5G technology are primarily contingent on access to a variety of spectrum resources,” Akande continued.
“As a result, spectrum is critical to addressing the insatiable demand for sophisticated mobile data services and a new generation of wireless broadband use cases.”
Remote object manipulation, industrial automation, virtual and augmented reality, and next-generation car connectivity are among the applications he identified.
“The impact of mobile services on communities and economies will continue to grow as a result of these use cases.”
Furthermore, Akande stated that the influence of 5G technology on national economies is unprecedented, and that 5G is expected to contribute $2.2 trillion to the global economy by 2034, according to the GSMA’s flagship ‘Mobile Economy Report’ for the year 2020.
He said that 5G networks would drive vital businesses such as manufacturing, utilities, professional, and financial services, among others, as well as other important contributions of the new technology.
“In reality, the new technology will greatly assist a number of other ancillary industries.” The value of 5G technology to national economies cannot be overstated, according to the NCC Board Chairman.
“A noteworthy milestone that Nigeria is set to auction spectrum in the 3.5GHz for the rollout of 5G at this important time,” Akande said of Monday’s auction.
“We are devoted to transparency and openness,” he added, “which this auction exemplifies” at NCC.
