As the National Communications Commission (NCC) sets aside the official date for the authorization for the rollout of the Fifth-Generation (5G) Internet connectivity service, Nigeria’s leading telecommunications service provider, MTN on Wednesday, switched on its service at 190 sites.
The service though rolled out across the country, was switched on mainly in Lagos and Abuja.
By October, it is expected that the MTN 5G service would be operating at 500-600 sites across the country.
While MTN has launched the Fifth-Generation (5G) service, Mafab Communications then other winner of the 5G license has, however, been given a five-month extension for the rollout of the service in Nigeria.
The NCC permitted Wednesday roll-out date to both MTN and Mafab Communications, after both emerged winners of the 3.5GHz spectrum license last December and had paid about $550 million as early as February to Nigerian government.
The chairperson of Mafab Communications, Dr. Mushabu Bashir had said: “In line with the conditions of the 5G license, the licenses were expected to commence the rollout of 5G services effective from August 24, 2022. However, Mafab has been issued a five-month extension following delays in receiving its UASL and Numbering plan, which did not happen until the end of July.
“We are fully committed to bringing the benefits of 5G services to Nigerians and deploying a network that will drive economic development with increased broadband capabilities nationwide. I have no doubt that the service will help deliver improvements in the fields of education, business, smart cities and entertainment.”
MTN’s launch of the 5G has made Nigeria join South Africa and Kenya as countries that have formally launched the service.
