NCC announces 5G spectrum licence auction as it prepares roll out

NCC 5G licence (Photo: Unsplash/Ben Vaughn)

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC is headed towards launching the 5G network in the country soon. It initiated the auction process of the 3.5 GHz spectrum for access to the two lots of 100 MHz and 5G services licence.

The NCC has published an Information Memorandum (IM) to inform interested parties about the application process for the 5G licence.

Major licensed telcos in Nigeria as well as applicants not licenced network operators in the country can apply for the auctioning process and hence licencing.

The NCC has also set the generic reserve auction prices for each slot in the 5G Spectrum band at the minimum price of $197,400,000.00.

According to the commission, any successful bidder without a unified access Service Licence (UASL) will get one upon payment of the specified fee. See full NCC file on licencing and auctioning process.

It is also basing the process for the licensing of the 3.5 GHz Spectrum on technological advancements, demand for broadband services and international trends.

When will NCC release 5G in Nigeria?

The 5G network had a trial run in 2020 as issued by the NCC in two cities in Nigeria and was later decommissioned.

Successful bidders have to get proper NCC 5G licence to deliver it in 2022 after the auction process.

The NCC who already has a deployment plan approved by the FG said that it will notify the public about successful bidders.

The NCC had said it is now over 97% ready to deliver the 5G network to Nigeria.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), which approved the 5G network is advocating it for Nigeria’s Digital Economy.

After the launch of the 5G network in Nigeria, not all regions in the country will have access. All major cities will have full 5G coverage by 2025 the NCC had said.

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Christina Ngene

Content creator focusing on finance and business with five years of experience and a foundation in forex analysis.

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