The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has approved MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Mafab Communications Ltd to participate in the final bid for spectrum that will be used to deploy the fifth generation (5G) technology in the country.
This development is coming nine days to the mock auction of lots in the 3.5gigahertz (Ghz) spectrum designated for the deployment of the technology in the country.
Following the NCC’s Information Memorandum (IM), the mock auction is scheduled for December 10 while the final auction will hold December 13 in Abuja.
According to a source in the Commission, the three firms met all the conditions stated in the IM especially Sections 1 (e), VII {(i) (ii), (v) (3) (c)} and XI (e) which the Commission had earlier drawn special attention to.
Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, the Director, Public Affairs at the Commission, confirmed that the auction will hold as scheduled despite the global fear over a new strain of COVID-19 known as Omicron.
NCC in a notice on its website said it will “supervise the second 5G PoC trial in Nigeria. This trial will be conducted by Airtel Networks Limited and its Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) on Thursday, December 2, 2021”.
According to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the Commission had slated December 13, 2021 as the final auction date for the spectrum auction while deployment is expected to happen in first quarter (Q1) next year.
The Commission had also extended the timeline for submission of responses in respect of the auction November 24 to 30th.
