Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Umar Danbatta, on Thursday, disclosed that the launching of the fifth-generation technology (5G) would take place in August this year.

Mr Danbatta made this known to reporters at the 90th edition of Telecom Consumer Parliament hosted by the Consumer Affairs Bureau of the Commission in Lagos. 

“The Commission has set out the regulatory instruments needed for fast deployment of the new versatile technology for the benefit of the consumers and the stakeholders,” said Mr Dambatta.

The NCC boss further urged all stakeholders to support the 5G project in Nigeria to ensure that the technology is deployed in the country in a way that would be beneficial to all telecom users. 

Mr Danbatta added that the deployment of the technology would strengthen the Digital Economy Policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In December 2021, MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications Ltd won the bid for the 3.5GHz spectrum in an auction. The companies acquired each lot of 100 MHz TDD for $273.6 million.

Mr Dambatta confirmed the duo will herald the country’s 5G phase 

“We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders across sectors to ensure faster deployment of 5G services, and accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure,” he assured.

This development comes after one tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, on May 30, announced via his Twitter handle that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued Internet Service Provider (ISP) license to his firm, Starlink, to operate fast internet service in Nigeria.