By Emmanuel Nduka
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled plans for the 5G Spectrum Auction, assuring that the deployment will not make the rates of call and data expensive.
The telecommunications regulator gave the assurance at a Stakeholder Engagement Forum on 5G Spectrum Auction on Thursday.
Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Engr. Ubale Maska, noted that the deployment will bring competition, which will in turn ensure affordability, as telecommunication companies who want patronage will bring down their charges.
“Competition will make 5G network costs flexible. It would force down the price because this would bring about a good profit margin.
“We expect the unit price to come down. This would favour the operators since more subscribers would be able to buy,” Maska said.
Engr. Oluwatoyin Asaju, Director, Spectrum Administration, corroborating the position of the NCC, said, “Forces of competition will pull down prices. 15 to 20 years is a good time frame for operators to regain their investment.”
Asaju promised that the costs will be within the reach of Nigerians.
While rates for calls and data packages varies between network providers, Nigerians have expressed fear that the 5G rollout may further jerk up data charges.
