Nigeria: NCC projects N400 billion revenue as 5G spectrum auction begins Dec. 13
The leadership of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it would realise close to N400 billion for the federal government, as auctioning of its 5G spectrum begins on Dec. 13, 2021.
Prof. Umar Danbatta, the NCC Executive Vice-Chairman, disclosed this on Thursday in Ilorin at a Public Lecture on the 5G network organised by the Kwara State University (KWASU).
The lecture, titled 5G Mobile Technology: Myths, Realities, Potentials and Challenges.
Represented by Mr Toyin Asaju, the Director, Spectrum Administration, NCC, Danbatta said though the auction had been planned for five slots, two would be available for auction at the first instance.
He said each slot would go for a reserved price of a minimum of N75 billion with 100 Meg in terms of bandwidth capacity.
”The government of Nigeria is ready to roll out 5G services in Nigeria and we are starting with an auction scheduled for Dec. 13.
”The auction had been planned for five slots, but at the first instance, we will deal with the available slots and for now two slots are available for the auction.
”We hope to realise close to N400 billion for the Nigeria government, having set the reserved price for auction at N75 billion per slot.
”We are going to engage in ascending auction which means that the minimum you can pay for each slot is N75 billion, you can go up to whatever level depending on how the competition goes,” the NCC boss said.
He, however, debunked the myth of the 5G network posing a health risk, saying it is safe for use.
”There is no empirical data that it poses any health risk, instead, preliminary investigation around the world shows that radiation of 5G are well below capable limits of affecting the human body.
”Another myth associated with 5G is that it consumes a lot of energy, but contrarily, 5G was designed to optimally consume energy but will only transmit data when required,” Dambatta said.
He said the technology would among other things unveil novel ways of interaction with individuals and machines, and foster the development of large network of sectors and controllers.
