According to industry reports, the Nigerian Communication Commission(NCC) has concluded plans to roll out two additional 3.5GHz spectrum licenses for the Fifth Generation (5G) licenses in 2023.

Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, revealed this at the TechTV Digital Agenda Forum, which was held in Lagos last week.

Prof Danbatta, represented by Dr Chudi Diugwu, Deputy Director, New Media and Information Security at the Commission, said, “the NCC is working to ensure a comprehensive Digital Transformation as a key driver by converging and harnessing the successes of various emerging technologies at our disposal for the common good of our nation’s transformation agenda.”

Diugwu explained that artificial intelligence (AI) programs are necessary for a fully functional and efficient 5G network as conventional 4G networks with all-IP (Internet Protocol) broadband connectivity are reactive, which results in low spectrum utilization.

Furthermore, Digwu added that the 5G network will be essential to fully implementing the Internet of Things (loTs) that connects computing resources such as sensors, automobiles, and wearable gadgets with people.

Prof Danbatta remarked that to enhance economic transformation, the NCC continually drives initiatives that accelerate digital infrastructure deployment in Nigeria. Through this effort, Prof Danbatta notes that the Commission had in December 2021 awarded two telecommunication companies the bid for the 5G spectrum licenses in one of the most remarkable and successful auctions in Africa.

Ghanaian Consul General in Lagos, her Excellency Samata Gifty Bukari, thanked the Nigerian Communications Commission for providing an uncommon regulatory prowess that other African telecom regulators are emulating as the NCC continues to create an enabling Telecom environment for investors.

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