Few days after the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami disclosed the Federal Government’s position on the deployment of 5G networks in Nigeria, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has said that the Commission is ready for the implementation of the government’s decision.
Fielding questions from the newly posted Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Bitrus Nabasu, during a presentation in Abuja on Wednesday, the NCC boss observed that the Commission has always aligned its position and plan with the Federal Government.
The EVC lauded the thriving healthy competition in the telecommunications industry, which he said has driven down the prices of data in the country.
“On the 5G, 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,” he explained.
The EVC’s presentation touched on the enabling laws and mandates of the Commission, its structure as well his scorecards among others.
While commending Dr. Pantami for his efforts toward resolving some of the perennial challenges in the industry especially the Right of Way (RoW) charges, Danbatta urged governments at every level in Nigeria to respect the resolution of the National Economic Council on the harmonized RoW charges, to enable the industry to continue to grow and prosper.
The EVC said “the Commission will continue to put in its best in the discharge of its mandate, especially in facilitating the deployment of broadband infrastructure, which is central to diversifying the Nigerian economy and national development.”
“It’s our belief also that the communications industry, under the leadership of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, will experience more quantum leap and retain its current flagship role in the telecommunication space,” he emphasised.
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