The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has emphasized the need of collaboration among stakeholders in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry for effective 5G deployment in the country.
Pantami said this in his keynote address on ‘Deploying 5G Networks in Nigeria: The Critical Role of Stakeholders‘ at the Stakeholders Engagement Forum on the Draft Information Memorandum on auction of 3.5Ghz Spectrum Band on Thursday in Lagos.
Pantami who was represented by Engr. Abubakar Ladan, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, said the collaboration would harness the social and economic benefits the network.
The event was orgainsed by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) in conjunction with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
The minister said, among other mandates, the policy stipulated collaboration with relevant stakeholders and provision of the required spectrum and enabling environment to ensure the full deployment of 5G.
According to him, this will also serve as a catalyst for the successful implementation of the country’s National Digital Economy Development and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria.
“On the implementation of the policy, NCC under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, is saddled with the responsibility of developing strategies, standards, guidelines and frameworks for the deployment of the 5G networks nationwide.
“Accordingly, to ensure a coordinated approach, the Commission has been directed to not only collaborate with relevant agencies under the Ministry, but with all other relevant stakeholders in order to achieve the aims and objectives of the policy.
“Further to the above, the policy is designed and formulated to achieve many other goals, a few amongst which are: ensure effective deployment of 5G to cover major urban areas by 2025,” he said.
He noted that this would not be achieved without the collaboration of all the stakeholders.
According to him, other achievements include ensuring the security of the 5G ecosystem and the protection of data; ensuring that international best practices and globally accepted standards and specifications are entrenched in Nigeria’s 5G ecosystem; among others.
He said transparency and accountability in the sale of the 3.5GHz Spectrum Band allocated for deployment of 5G network in Nigeria, the Federal Government thought it wise to involve relevant stakeholders.
He added that the purpose of the gathering was, therefore, to discuss the Information Memorandum on the auction of the 3.5GHz Spectrum Band.
“I, therefore, urge you participants to use your time, energy and expertise and accord this national assignment the attention it deserves. Your service is for the advancement of our national interest and for the benefit of the generations yet unborn,” said Pantami.
