'FG has final say on 5G deployment' - ITREALMS

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has the final say on deployment of the Fifth Generation (5G) networks in the country, reports ITREALMS.

Prof. Danbatta of NCC

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, made this clarification while speaking at the NCC’s Public Enquiry on Annual Operating Levy Regulations (AOL) and the Frequency Pricing in Abuja, last week.

ITREALMS gathered from video clip at the function that there were two regulatory instruments examined at the event, that is the Annual Operating Levy Regulations (AOL) and the Frequency Spectrum (Fees and Pricing, etc.).

Danbatta reiterated the keenness of FG to deploy 5G in the country but maintained that FG has the prerogative.

He also disclosed that the commission has completed its own part coupled with the endorsement from the Board Commissioners.

As said by him, as at the time of filing this report, relevant papers are with the Federal Government for the consideration of the Federal Executive Council.

In addition, ITREALMS reports that the first instrument on AOL ensures that all licensees are properly and equitably assessed for the annual levy as well as meeting both statutory and regulatory expectations. Its review is expected to bring the Regulations in line with current realities and sustain the enviable contributions of the communications sector to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The second instrument on frequency spectrum fee and pricing enables the Commission to meet its sole and exclusive mandate in Section 21 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003 by assigning the scarce national resource in an equitable manner. The Regulations also ensures that frequency spectrum are assigned and managed in a way that ensures fair pricing and efficient deployment of attendant services.

Speaking during the event, Danbatta said the public inquiry not only reflects the Commission's strategic mission and vision to ensure regulatory excellence through effective regulatory processes but also sign posts the Commission's consultative approach to all its regulatory initiatives.

He said the public inquiry was a precursor to the Commission's current drive to ensure efficiency in spectrum management and the unveiling of next generation services through varied enablers, adding that it was in this regard that the Commission issued a Spectrum Trading Guidelines (STG) in 2018, to ensure frequency Spectrum is readily available to licensees through an effective process.