Telecom Company, MTN launches commercial 5G in Nigeria
South African telecommunication company, MTN has rolled out 5G commercial services in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria on September 18 at an event. This follows the announcement by the company on August 24, 2022 that it had begun its pilot test in Lagos and six other cities.
Other target cities include Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Owerri, and Maiduguri.
Speaking at the launch, CEO MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, said: “Every major technological evolution changes the way we live, the way we connect; changes what is possible. GSM took phone calls on the road, 2G added texting to our experience (and created a whole new language), 3G brought the internet to our phones, and 4G made video widely available on mobiles.
“5G will change everything. It will allow us to connect, create, collaborate, and compete in ways we cannot imagine yet. Today we will show you a glimpse of the many possibilities 5G has in store. What is most important is what you and every Nigerian can create with it.”
The executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, also noted, “Today, we are celebrating the outcome of the successful auction of the 5G spectrum, we are celebrating the commercial launch of 5G services in the country. This puts the country on the global 5G space and from today many of you will experience the super speed associated with 5G.”
What to know about MTN 5G in Nigeria
The commercial launch of 5G in Lagos is a detailed process starting from the bid for 5G network from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in December 2021. This eventually allowed MTN the license to operate the network alongside Mafab communications, the other of the two licensed 5G operators in the country.
As for Mafab, it was given a 5-month extension date after the initial August deadline to meet with NCC standard on the deployment of the network.
MTN went ahead to start its 5G testing in seven cities in the country where it promises to deliver the network before its national launch in Abuja, which is expected to be soon.
The fifth-generation network would usher innovations and as well sustainable solutions in the country. It is projected to add $2.2 trillion to the global economy by 2034 according to a 2020 GSMA Intelligence report titled “The Mobile Economy.” Although, this is against the estimated five per cent 5G adoption by 2025 in Sub-Saharan Africa, the lowest on the chart.
Source: Twitter