Nigeria hopes to have Africa’s broadest 5G in 2022, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has said.
Pantami said this at the 3.5 gigahertz (Ghz) spectrum auction in Abuja on Monday.
Three telecommunications companies are bidding for two spaces approved by the NCC, after meeting all the requirements to participate in the licensing process.
MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Ltd and Airtel Networks Ltd participated in the software-based simulated auction, using the up-clock auction system for the simulated session.
Each bidder went through a bidding room after participating in an opening round.
The State Security Services (SSS) had the task of monitoring the representatives of the companies, who would not be allowed to leave the room until the end of the process.
On Friday, the NCC held a mock auction in which all bidders participated.
The commission set the offer price at 75 billion naira ($ 197.4 million).
Pantami said that 5G technology can solve some of the security challenges in the country, as the technology provides services and platforms in real time.
“Let’s not forget that Nigeria has the largest digital economy in Africa, Nigeria has the largest telecommunications market in Africa, Nigeria has the largest Internet subscribers in Africa, Nigeria has the largest broadband and we hope that by 2022, Nigeria have the highest 5G Coverage in Africa, “he said.
“This is why and considering the general benefits of 5G implementation globally, Nigeria as a country, being the giant of Africa, feels that it is necessary for us to start the 5G implementation process.”