Umar Danbatta, The Chairman Of The Nigerian Communications Commission Says The Country Is Prepared For 5G Adoption

Umar Danbatta, the chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), says the country is prepared for 5G adoption

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has stated that the Commission is prepared to carry out the government's decision as soon as possible. After Dr Ibrahim Pantami, the Minister of Communications, announced that the government is preparing for the deployment of 5G networks in Nigeria, this came as a surprise to no one.

Responding to questions from Mr Bitrus Bako Nabasu, the newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, during a presentation in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman of the National Communications Commission (NCC) stated that the Commission, as a Federal agency, always acts in accordance with the position and plan of the Federal Government.

On 5G, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has stated that the Federal Government is committed to deploying the technology as soon as possible. Our level of preparedness is extremely high. There is a 5G auction committee in place, and a deployment plan has been developed. As you are aware, it is impossible to have a successful deployment without a plan”, he stated.

“All we are asking is for the National Frequency Management Council to allocate additional spectrum to us,” says the group (NFMC). “Of course, some of these spectrums are ready, but we must first obtain approval from the Federal Government before proceeding with the auctions,” he continued.

The EVC's presentation covered a variety of topics, including the Commission's enabling laws and mandates, its structure, and his scorecards, among others.

His remarks were also laudatory of the thriving healthy competition in the telecommunications industry, which he claimed has resulted in a reduction in the cost of data access in the country.

During a meeting with the new Permanent Secretary, the EVC informed him of the upcoming book launch of the Commission, which is scheduled to take place next month. The EVC stated that the book, which is of a technical nature, will provide more insight into the workings of NCC under his supervision.

“I have spoken about the first Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), which contains eight agenda items,” says the speaker. The SVP has reached its conclusion, and we have written a book detailing the documented progress we have made while putting it into effect. It gives me great pleasure to inform you that the book will be released on September 7th, 2021,” he stated.

While praising Dr Pantami for his efforts toward resolving some of the industry's perennial challenges, particularly the Right of Way (RoW) charges, Danbatta urged governments at all levels in Nigeria to abide by the National Economic Council's resolution on harmonized RoW charges in order to enable the industry to continue to grow and prosper in the country.

In the discharge of its mandate, “the Commission will continue to do everything possible to facilitate the deployment of broadband infrastructure, which is critical to diversifying the Nigerian economy and advancing national development.”

Moreover, he stated that the communications industry, which is led by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, will undergo further quantum leaps while maintaining its current leading position in the telecommunications industry.