Pantami Releases 5G spectrum to NCC

By Uche Mbah

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC  will soon deploy the 5G network across the country.

This was made known by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy,  Isa Ali Pantami who says the National Spectrum Management Council, NSMC  has agreed to make spectrum available to NCC.

According to him, it has become necessary to deploy a 5G network in Nigeria because of the possibility of increased internet access in both urban and rural areas.

‘‘AT the National Spectrum Management Council, we have discussed the issue extensively and decided t release spectrum that is available for 5G deployment.  The Council will release the spectrum to NCC that will administer them to Nigerians on behalf of the federal government and make sure it reaches all the operators so that we will be able to have 5G services”, he said.

‘‘This will increase broadband penetration and also the speed because 5G is at least 20 times faster than 4G when it is available.  This will be useful for our education, health, security management and governance, and many more.

‘‘We must ensure that 5G is not used against the nation and its unity. Let us use it for the good of our country and the benefit of all. There is a lot to be done in terms of broadband penetration because as it is today, in rural communities, only 10 percent have access to fixed broadband infrastructure globally.’’

‘‘In addition, we have been addressing the issues which help to increase the cost of broadband in the country. For example, before now, the charges for Right of Way, RoW was 6000 per linear meter but now, it has dropped by more than 98 percent, while some states even charge as low as 145 per linear meter” he concluded.