By John Ikani
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami has assured that the West African nation will have the largest fifth generation, 5G network coverage in Africa.
Pantami gave the assurance at the auction of the 3.5 gigahertz (Ghz) spectrum organised by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, 5G would solve some of the security challenges in the country since the technology provides real-time services and platforms.
The Minister went on to note that the report of the first set of 5G-trials was critically reviewed and showed the 5G is safe for deployment in Nigeria and would not compromise national security.
He also affirmed that international organizations such as the World Health Organizations (WHO) and the International Telecommunications Union, (ITU) organs of United Nations, have so far confirmed that the deployment of 5G networks does not cause any adverse health effects and are safe.
“This formed the basis for the development and eventual approval of the National policy. You will recall that the Federal Executive Council FEC approved a National 5G policy for Nigeria’s Digital Economy on September 8, 2021. The approval process followed a very robust debates at the Council,” the Minister noted.
Two telecommunications companies are expected to emerge as winners after the auction of the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum.
The NCC announced that three telecoms companies are qualified as approved bidders for a 5G permit after meeting all requirements for participating in the licensing process.
The three qualified bidders for the 3.5 GHz spectrum, namely MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Ltd, and Airtel Networks Ltd, participated in the software-based simulated auction, using the Ascending Clock Auction System for the mock session.
Each bidder is expected to go through a bidder room, which will begin with an opening-round where all bidders are expected to participate.
The Department of Security Service (DSS) will be monitoring the officials in each room and nobody will be allowed to leave the room until the process is over.
The commission approved two slots to licence in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band expected to be picked by successful bidders at the end of the Main Auction.
Heritage Times recalls that the NCC had on Friday, November 10 held a mock auction where all bidders participated.
The Commission in November fixed the price for the bid at N75 billion ($197.4 million). However, the telecommunications giants asked for a slash on the licence fee.
