CEM REPORT Mafab Communications has been issued a five-month extension to launch the Fifth Generation (5G) by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The extension was granted based on a delay in receiving its unified operational licence (USAL) and numbering plan, which did not happen until the end of July.
Mafab who is one of two telecommunications firms that won the 5G Spectrum licences in December 2021 noted the extension in a statement by its Chairman, Mushabu Bashir.
“In line with the conditions of the 5G licence, the licensees were expected to commence the rollout of 5G services effective from August 24, 2022.
“However, Mafab has been issued a five-month extension following delays in receiving its UASL and Numbering plan, which did not happen until the end of July.
“We are fully committed to bringing the benefits of 5G services to Nigerians and deploying a network that will drive economic development with increased broadband capabilities nationwide. I have no doubt that the service will help deliver improvements in the fields of education, business, smart cities and entertainment,”
The Chairman also reiterated the firm’s commitment to the project.
“We are fully committed to bringing the benefits of 5G services to Nigerians and deploying a network that will drive economic development with increased broadband capabilities nationwide. I have no doubt that the service will help deliver improvements in the fields of education, business, smart cities and entertainment.
“The goal remains to launch before the 5-month extension period and we will be sharing more information in the near future.”
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, confirming the extension said;
“Mafab has been given the Universal Access Service License (UASL) two weeks ago and they requested for extension of time to roll out services.”
The extension is coming two days to the rollout date (August 24, Wednesday) handed to Mafab and MTN (second inner of the license) by the NCC.
Although source within MTN has revealed that it is ready to roll out the 5G Spectrum demo on or after the set date
Recall a CEM report in June where the NCC stated that plans were on schedule for the deployment of 5G network in the country by August 24.
Recall that in December 2021, after 11 rounds of bidding that lasted eight hours, Mafab and MTN Nigeria emerged the two successful winners of the 3.5gigahertz (GHz) spectrum auction for the deployment of 5G technology in Nigeria. The Commission further confirmed that the two companies fully paid $273.6 million each for the 5G spectrum licence in February 2022.
