Telecom

Nigeria: MTN announces 5G tests, in preparation for commercial launch

Nigeria: MTN announces 5G tests, in preparation for commercial launch
Thursday, 25 August 2022 19:05

Currently, MTN and Mafab are the only operators with a 5G license in Nigeria. However, Mafab is yet to get its unified access service license. So, in the meantime, MTN will be able to comfortably establish itself in this market segment. 

Telecom operator MTN Nigeria Plc announced, Wednesday (August 24), the launch of a 5G pilot launch in the country. The test phase was launched in preparation for the commercial launch in seven states namely Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Owerri, and Maiduguri.

According to MTN, the ongoing tests will allow its subscribers who own compatible devices to test the new service where the network coverage is available. It also urged its subscribers to pre-order 5G devices to benefit from this new technology.  

Every major technological evolution redefines what is possible – changing how we live and connect. MTN Nigeria has been at the forefront of every leap in telecommunications: from GSM to 2G, 3G, and 4G. 5G has the potential to change everything. It will allow us to connect, create, collaborate, and compete in ways we’ve not even begun to imagine,” said Adia Sowho, MTN Nigeria’s chief marketing officer. 

The test phase is launched eight months after MTN and Mafab Communications won 5G spectrum licenses. Last May, when issuing final letters of license awards, telecom regulator NCC asked the two winners to commence rollout by August 24, 2022. 

MTN indicated that it was ready to start the 5G rollout on the specified date. However, Mafab subjected it to the obtention of its Unified Access Service License  (UASL). In the end, it was granted an additional five months to start the rollout. This makes MTN the only operator currently able to provide 5G technologies in Nigeria.  

Let’s note the 5G rollout is in line with the national objectives of the "Nigerian National Broadband Plan," the "National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy," as well as other sectoral policies aimed at enhancing Nigeria's digital transformation. In March 2022, the  NCC said it was expecting one billion devices to run on 5G in the next two years. 

Isaac K. Kassouwi

On the same topic
Plan aims to build a fully digitized health system by 2029 Strategy centers on unified data, secure platforms, and wider digital...
Partnership seeks to boost local gaming and gamification solutions Program will build a national platform for start-ups across key sectors Initiative...
Zambia launches a three-pillar strategy focused on energy security, national infrastructure sharing and faster rollout of telecom towers. The...
Supports National AI Strategy to boost digital skills and job readiness Govt promotes AI tools, coding, and data-driven learning in institutions...
Most Read
01

DRC met Alibaba, Isoftstone to discuss adapting China’s e-commerce model Joint working group ...

DRC in Talks with Alibaba, Isoftstone to Develop a Chinese-Style E-Commerce Model
02

The new unified platform replaces the NIBSS Instant Payments system. It connects banks, finte...

Nigeria Launches National Payment Stack, Targets Faster Digital Transactions
03

DRC minister visited Huawei China center to boost AI training cooperation Talks focused on launch...

DRC, Eyeing AI for Farms and Mines, Seeks to Launch Academy with China’s Huawei
04

Ghana to allocate $2.8B in 2026 budget for major road infrastructure push Funding targ...

Ghana to Allocate $2.8 Billion for Road Development in 2026
05

Somalia and Algeria signed multiple agreements covering education, agriculture, energy, diplomacy,...

Somalia’s President Sheikh Mohamud Signs Multiple Cooperation Agreements in Algeria
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.