August 24, 2022 has been the date most Nigerians were expecting that 5G network would be launched, but is that the actually date fixed by the industry regulator – the Nigerian Communications Commission?  

What we know so far regarding the date for 5G launch in Nigeria:

So, following auction of 3.5GHz spectrum on December 13, 2021 for commercial 5G rollout, the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), chaired by Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, had on February 22, 2022, officially handed over the spectrum allocation for 5G deployment as well as Federal Government-approved National Policy on 5G to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Subsequently, the Commission, on February 24, 2022, confirmed the full payment of $273.6 million each by the two spectrum winners, in addition to spectrum assignment fee paid by MTN, for the 5G spectrum licence.

Therefore, on May 4 2022, it was reported that the NCC has issued final letters of licence awards to MTN, Mafab, 5G spectrum winners. This is where it gets more interesting.

Management of the Commission led by Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), confirmed this to the Board of Commissioners at the Board’s Special Meeting, which took place on Wednesday, April 20 and Thursday, April 21, 2022, where the Board considered updates from Management on the status of the spectrum auction.

NCC’s statement signed by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, erstwhile Director, Public Affairs indicates that with the issuance of the final letters of awards of 5G spectrum and in line with the Auction’s Information Memorandum (IM), “the two licensees are now expected to accelerate deployment of 5G network that will usher Nigeria into a more robust Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and a more digitised Nigerian economy.

“In line with the terms and conditions of the 5G license, the licensees are expected to commence roll out 5G services effective from August 24, 2022”.

You see why those expecting the launch to happen today are not wrong?

But, on Monday, August 22, Mafab Communications, one of the telecom companies that won the 5G spectrum licenses said it has been issued a five-month extension for its rollout by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

It is understandable that Mafab only has frequency license and does not have operational licence and it needs to apply for a telecom operational license to enable it roll out 5G services.

Mafab said it has been issued a five-month extension following the delays in receiving its unified operational license (USAL) 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,” Musbahu Bashir, chairman, Mafab Communications Limited, was quoted as saying.

“I have no doubt that the service will help deliver improvements in the fields of education, business, smart cities, and entertainment.

“The goal remains to launch before the 5-month extension period, and we will be sharing more information in the near future.”

It was on this ground that licensees can rollout ‘from and NOT exactly on August 24, 2022’ that NCC could have granted Mafab Communications more time to get its acts together.

How about MTN?

Top management of MTN had at different fora demonstrated the company’s commitment to providing quality internet access to Nigerians, especially by laying the groundwork to provide the 5G service in several parts of the country in the coming months.

Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, the General Manager for Fixed Broadband at MTN Nigeria, made similar claim last week:

“A lot of work is still being done by the Federal Government and organisations like MTN to achieve the right levels of broadband penetration. The journey has already started and further collaborations will help us to get better.”

“To improve internet connectivity in their locality, more than a dozen African countries have tested or are planning to roll out the 5G network in the next few years.

The next-gen network is predicted to contribute an additional $2.2 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2034. MTN, demonstrating its commitment to providing quality internet access to Nigerians, has laid the groundwork to provide the 5G service in several parts of the country in the coming months”.

TechEconomy’s recent editorial had identified that several challenges confronting the telecommunications sector in Nigeria need to be tackled to create fresh impetus for investors to sink their money in 5G technology.

The NFMC resolved to remind members of the public, Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Governments that by the provisions of Section 28 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (NCA 2003), the NFMC is the apex body for Radio Frequency Spectrum Administration in Nigeria.

In a statement available to TechEconomy, Dr. Femi Adeluyi, Technical Assistant (Research & Development) to the Minister, said the meeting resolved, accordingly, any radio frequency-based equipment that is to be installed by any individual, private company, Government or Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) for the purpose of management of the radio frequency spectrum, in whatever guise, must be cleared by the NFMC. 

“For further clarification, commercial private companies/organisations should contact the statutory regulatory bodies, i.e., National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for commercial broadcasting and telecommunications entities, respectively.

“The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy manages radio frequency spectrum that are used by entities such as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Governments, Embassies, Diplomatic Missions, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), individuals and private companies/organisations for non-commercial purposes. 

“Furthermore, management of the Radio Frequency spectrum by the Ministry includes planning, assignment, coordination, resolution of harmful interference complaints, monitoring and licensing of radio frequency spectrum and radio communication stations for the category of users mentioned above.

“No civil MDA, individual, private, or public entity is authorized to install radio frequency-based equipment for the purpose of monitoring or managing the spectrum of its organisation or sector unless it is cleared and duly authorized by the NFMC.

“Entities that already have such installations must hand them over to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and arrange on how to collaborate with the Ministry to achieve their objectives. Refusal to declare and handover such equipment or systems constitute security risk to the nation and may therefore attract severe sanctions and possible prosecution. 

“The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy will continue to support the development of Nigeria’s digital economy in a safe and sustainable way”, the statement reads.