BY GLORIA USMAN, ABUJA – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has expressed the readiness of Nigeria to embrace the roll out of 5G networks.
The Commissioner for Stakeholders Management of NCC, Mr Sunday Dare, who announced this in Abuja at a meeting with members of NITRA Abuja branch, said the commission had few months ago comprehensively examined the legal, regulatory and technology issues while developing a roadmap with all critical stakeholders.
He said, the 5G has opened up consultations on spectrum for drones, and proactively leading to discussions on the deployment of new technologies.
Dare said the NCC recently announced an adjustment in teledensity figures which showed a reduction from the 123% previously claimed to 91%, adding however that some experts are faulting even the new figure.
According to him; “NCC is a data-driven organisation. All the data is presented on its website for anyone to interrogate. They say that with Multiple SIMING and shared handsets, the number is far less. They also claim that over 30 million Nigerians have never seen a phone.”
Commenting on the issue of 30 million Nigerians that have not seen a phone, Dare said that two years ago, the NCC proactively identified about 200 remote communities who do not have coverage and began working with operators through the USPF to fill the gaps.
He further said; “What we are doing as a commission is trying to get these communities to leapfrog 2G networks where economically feasible. At that time, we said that the population of the communities is up to 35million. It is not as if these people have not seen phones, it is that they do not have regular coverage. So, to interpret that as meaning that 35 million people have not seen phones is a disservice”.
On high rate of Multi-simming, he said that is one of the benefits of having a very highly competitive market, adding that people are very price sensitive and multiple SIM devices allow them to immediately switch to networks where they can get the best value.
He said; “We know this all too well and so, we are realistic about actual penetration figures. Work is ongoing to harmonise with the NIMC database and that we are looking towards a future where once you have the NIN, you don’t have to go through the hassles of registration. All hands are on deck to achieve that.”
The NCC therefore called for the need to specifically acknowledge the efforts of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) as they have been taking a very active part in the joint NCC/Industry Working Group on Multiple Taxation.
Dare further said; “They also joined in Regional Outreach where we have engaged directly with senior functionaries of state governments to underscore the critical nature of telecoms infrastructure and to agree on actionable measures for protecting them.
“We understand that NCAA is keen to protect Nigeria’s airspace and that is fine. Aviation safety concerns all of us and it is a legitimate pursuit. We are happy that NCAA has now withdrawn the threat.”
The NCC called for a more effective approach than the threat to destroy critical national infrastructure which will negatively impact on national security, social and economic life.
