Nigeria’s National Communications Commission (NCC) Is Planning To Allocate 5G Slots To Mobile Network Operators

Nigeria’s National Communications Commission (NCC) Is Planning To Allocate 5G Slots To Mobile Network Operators

Iexclusivenews Nigeria reports that the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) is preparing to allocate 5G slots to mobile network operators, with 180 million telephone lines linked to the National Identification Number (NIN).

Prof Umar Danbatta, the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, said the commission was considering five slots in the mid-band and low-band cadre for allotment to Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) for the deployment of the 5G tehnology during a public inquiry on three regulatory instruments on the rule-making process for industry stakeholders at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Given the country’s security challenges, he added that it had become critical to examine criteria for SIM Card Registration and Replacement.

He stated that, in accordance with the Federal Government’s policy on digital identification, individuals’ biometric and demographic information needed to be updated in order for the government to handle the security dimensions of the country’s concerns.

He said,

“We are looking at robust contributions from stakeholders. We believe that the combination of mid band and low band will provide meaningful 5G services across the country. And it is our belief that new entrants can also take advantage.

“However, the 5G Spectrum will be assigned administratively, but it will be determined by price and subject to the approval of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.“

He claimed that the National Identity Number has been linked to over 180 million phone lines (NIN).

He went on to say that the SIM-NIN link-up was made feasible by the National Identity Management Commission’s (NIMC) capture of over 64 million Nigerians in the National Identity Numbers (NIN) database.

According to Danbatta, figures show that the telecommunications industry has recovered, with broadband penetration reaching 41% and active telephone subscribers increasing by over a million. According to him, the number of enrolments will increase dramatically when Mobile Number Operators (MNOs) deploy around 1,500 NIN enrolment outlets.

According to available data, the telecommunications industry has recovered, with broadband penetration reaching 41% and active telephone subscribers increasing by over one million.