The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has said that the Commission is fully prepared for the implementation of the government’s decision on 5G deployment.
Danbatta, who commended the healthy competition in the telecommunications industry and the attendant downward trend in the prices of data in the country, gave the assurance while responding to questions from the newly posted Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu, during a presentation in Abuja.
The EVC explained that the commission being a federal agency, had always aligned its regulatory position and plans with the Federal Government’s in its sustained efforts to grow the industry and its contributions to the nation’s GDP.
He said: “On the 5G, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has spoken about the Federal Government’s position to deploy as soon as possible.
“Our state of readiness is very high. There’s an auction committee for 5G with a deployment plan ready. As you know, without a plan you cannot have a successful deployment.” “All we are asking is an additional spectrum to be allocated by the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC).
“Of course some of these spectrums are ready but we have to get the Federal Government’s approval to go ahead with the auctions”, Danbatta added.
The EVC’s presentation covered, amongst others, the enabling laws and mandates of the Commission, its structure and achievements over the years.
Briefing the new Permanent Secretary on the commission’s book launch next month, the industry regulator said that the book, which is technical in nature, would provide more insight into the workings of NCC under his watch.
He explained: “I have spoken about the first Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), comprising 8 agenda items. The SVP has come to the end and we have written a book providing documented progress we have made while implementing it. I am pleased to inform you that the book will be unveiled on 7th September 2021,” he disclosed.
While commending the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, for his efforts toward addressing the lingering challenges in the industry, especially the Right of Way (RoW) charges, Danbatta urged all the tiers of government to respect the resolution of the National Economic Council on the harmonized RoW charges in order to enable the industry to continue to grow.
He said: “The Commission will continue to put in its best in the discharge of its mandate, especially in facilitating the deployment of broadband infrastructure, which is central to diversifying the Nigerian economy and national development.
“It’s our belief also that the communications industry, under the leadership of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, will experience more quantum leap and retain its current flagship role in the telecommunication space”, Danbatta added.
