The Federal Government has handed over the 3.5GHz spectrum allocation for the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) Networks to the Nigerian Communications Commission and other stakeholders in the industry.
The Chairman of the National Frequency Management Council, Isa Pantami, who is also the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami did the handing over on Friday.
The Minister handed over the allocated spectrum to the Chairman Governing Board of NCC, Professor Adeolu Akande and the Executive Vice Chairman Professor Umar Garba Danbatta.
He issued the directive that the spectrum be distributed to the companies whose bids were successful during the auction in the December 2021 auction.
The Minister also made the public presentation of the National Policy on Fifth Generation Networks for Nigeria’s Digital Economy, Thursday, 17th February 2022 in Abuja.
Pantami said that the Federal Government had to take the painstaking step to
Ensure the safety of the 5G network as a result of the issues of safety around it which were thrown up in some quarters.
According to him, the introduction of the 5G Network has the benefits of enhanced security, transparency, agricultural boost and others.
He said that while the issue of right of way had not been completely solved, the government had address 90 percent of it.
“Amidst health rumors linking 5G to the source and spread of Covid19, the Federal Government took deliberate, painstaking steps to ensure its safety through trials, expert reviews and advise from professional and relevant authorities and stakeholders because the safety of our citizens is our priority.
“The issue of right of way becomes a challenge from time to time. The government has addressed the issue more than ninety per cent, but from time to time issues may come. I do hope that they will understand the economic benefits. The security benefits and many more of this technological advancement.
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“It is beyond right of way charges. It goes beyond that. So let us try to make the process very easy for operators so that they will be able to deploy the 5G,” he said.
Pantami also urged all stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the National Policy of 5G for Nigeria’s Digital Economy.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, thanked all the stakeholders who contributed to the deployment of 5G in the country.
He assured that the NCC would give the operators the requisite assistance to fully deploy the 5G network in the country.
