Fifth-generation technology, commonly called 5G, is now available in Nigeria. MTN Nigeria Communications Plc commercially launched the fifth-generation technology, commonly called 5G, in Nigeria on Sunday. It was launched during an event that enabled guests to test the use of the technology. At the commercial launch event, guests were able to experience some of the use cases of 5G.
This follows a pilot launch of 5G by MTN in August, keeping with the Nigerian Communications Commission rollout guideline. In August, the firm announced a pilot launch of 5G and its plan to roll out services in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Owerri, and Maiduguri. With this commercial launch, 5G services are now available in these locations. In its half-year report, the firm revealed it had deployed 127 5G sites in preparation for its 5G launch. 5G is expected to be rolled out in phases, with full national coverage expected by 2025.
While MTN has now rolled out its 5G network, Mafab Communications Limited, the only other telecommunication firm with a 5G license is yet to rollout 5G. Recently, it said the NCC had granted it a five-month rollout extension because of delays in getting its Unified Access Service Licence and Numbering plan.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Communication Commission has said that the Federal Government will generate over N500bn in 2023 fiscal year through the 5G spectrum. The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof.Umar Danbatta, made this known on Monday at an interactive meeting on 2023-2025 MTEF-FSP, organised by the Senate Committee on Finance.
Danbatta said the projected revenue would be realised from the auctioning of two 5G spectrums and the bidding process for auctioning of the spectrums in 2023. He also disclosed that NCC had generated N257 billion in the first quarter of 2022, while N195bn was remitted to government coffers. The NCC boss added that from April to August, N318bn was generated while N214 was remitted.
According to him, the fund realised was occasioned by the auctioning of two 5G spectrums at the rates of N263m and N273m dollars. He said, “ The NCC from 2017 to 2021 had also generated N799bn and remitted N423bn to the government. He added, “The target was to hit 75 per cent penetration in 2025. Hopefully, we will achieve 50 per cent penetration by end of 2022.”
