Though MTN has expressed readiness to launch the Fifth-Generation (5G) network this month, at most this quarter, Mafab Communications has, however, got a five-month extension for the rollout of the service in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) handed the August 24 (Wednesday) roll-out date to both MTN and Mafab Communications, after both emerged winners of the 3.5GHz spectrum licence last December and had subsequently coughed out about $550 million as early as February into Federal Government’s coffer.
At the weekend, a source at MTN told The Guardian that the firm is ready and may start with a demo on or after August 24.
According to the source, more equipment are coming in already and will be moved to the different sites, “as full commercial launch should be before the end of the year.”
Recall that in December 2021, after 11 rounds of bidding that lasted eight hours, Mafab and MTN Nigeria emerged the two successful winners of the 3.5gigahertz (GHz) spectrum auction for the deployment of 5G technology in Nigeria. The Commission further confirmed that the two companies fully paid $273.6 million each for the 5G spectrum licence in February 2022.
On the readiness of the players to deploy, the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, told The Guardian that “Mafab has been given the Universal Access Service License (UASL) two weeks ago and they requested for extension of time to roll out services. Confirm more from MTN and Mafab.”
Confirming this development, Mafab issued a statement, at the weekend, disclosing that NCC has granted it five months extension for service rollout.
The statement reads in part: “In line with the conditions of the 5G licence, the licensees 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,” said Chairman Mafab Communications Limited, Dr. Mushabu Bashir.
According to him, the goal remains to launch before the five-month extension period and “we will be sharing more information in the near future. The 5G will offer Nigerians higher data speed, improved reliability and availability.
“The benefits are far-reaching, as the service will enable Nigerians to achieve more with broadband and increase the nation’s broadband penetration, quality of service and capabilities.”
