The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has organized a capacity building workshop for journalists in Kano state on 5G deployment.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, held at Grand Central Hotel on Tuesday, the Executive Vice/CEO of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta described media as indispensable towards the success of the 5G deployment in Nigeria.
He noted that the theme of the workshop “5G Deployment and the Next Level of Nigeria’s Development.’’ is most apt at a time when the Commission is on full throttle to drive the implementation of the deployment of 5G network in the country following the approval of the Federal Government on September 8, 2021.
Represented by Ikechukwu Adinde, Director Public Affairs of the NCC, the CEO said, “as we progress in our journey of 5G deployment, the media has a critical role in the process by ensuring proper and adequate reportage of the programmes and activities of the Commission as it unfolds the 5G plan.
“From the programme, I can glean that the workshop will feature topics around 5G to equip you with greater insights and knowledge in order to improve your overall understanding of this very important new technology, its usage, opportunities and benefits it offers for the overall development of our socio-economic life,” Danbatta said.
He stated that Nigeria’s promising 5G Plan has the objectives of ensuring efficient assignment of spectrum for 5G deployment, creating an enabling environment for investment in the telecom industry, ensuring effective deployment of 5G to cover major urban cities by 2025, among others.
The CEO disclosed that on December 1, 2021, the Commission announced that at the close of the bid submission date of November 29, 2021, three companies, namely MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Ltd and Airtel Networks Ltd had successfully submitted their bids in line with the requirements of the IM.
He announced that Friday, December 10, the Commission will carry out the Mock Auction of the 5G in preparation for the Main Auction, which will take place on Monday, December 13, 2021 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Prof. Danbatta also announced that it is expected that the two slots to be auctioned will be picked up by successful bidders at the end of the auction on Monday, December 13, and following that, the stage will be set for the next phase of 5G roll-out commencing in 2022.
He thanked the media for the continuous support to the Commission through effective and unbiased reportage of our regulatory activities, programmes and events.
“We are, therefore, committed to continuing to explore avenues to strengthen and expand the frontiers of our partnership in this regard in order to serve the greater interests of our teeming stakeholders in the telecoms industry, particularly the telecom consumers,” he said.
