Nigeria To Have Widest 5G Coverage In Africa, Says Pantami

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, said on Monday that Nigeria will have the largest/widest 5G coverage in Africa next year.

He spoke at the auction of the 3.5 gigahertz (Ghz) Spectrum in Abuja.

According to him, the Fifth Generation (5G) Technology can help in addressing some of the security challenges facing the country.

Pantami explained that since the technology provides real-time services and platforms for advanced telecommunications systems, the country needed to take advantage of technology and maximise the opportunities inherent in it.

Two out of three telecommunications companies bidding for the Spectrum are expected to emerge as winners of the two slots of the 3.5 gigahertz (Ghz) spectrum.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had in a statement announced that three telecoms companies were qualified as approved bidders for 5G permit after meeting all requirements for participating in the licensing process.

The three qualified bidders for the 3.5 GHz spectrum, are MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Ltd, and Airtel Networks Ltd.

They all took part in the software-based simulated auction, using the Ascending Clock Auction System for the mock session last Friday.