The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), says the federal government is ready to deploy a fifth generation (5G) network across the country.
Executive vice chairman of the commission, Umar Garba Danbatta disclosed this while responding to questions from the new permanent secretary of the ministry of communications and digital economy, Bitrus Bako Nabasu, during a presentation in Abuja.
5G mobile technology is an improvement on the current 4G technology, and it is already deployed in some countries like China, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand.
Danbatta said the NCC is ready for the implementation of the government’s decision.
He also lauded the thriving healthy competition in the telecommunications industry, which according to him, had driven down the prices of data in the country.
He said the NCC is requesting for additional spectrum to be allocated by the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) to facilitate adequate deployment.
“On the 5G, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has spoken about the Federal Government’s position to deploy as soon as possible. Our state of readiness is very high.
“There’s an auction committee for 5G with a deployment plan ready. As you know, without a plan you cannot have a successful deployment.
“All we are asking is additional spectrum to be allocated by the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC). Of course some of these spectrums are ready but we have to get the Federal Government’s
approval to go ahead with the auctions,” Danbatta said.
