*Dr. Mushabu Bashir, Chairman of Mafab Communications Limited, says Nigeria’s future is “remarkably bright” with the rollout of 5G networks, which promises to usher in numerous business opportunities and expand business frontiers with operational ease and speed across various sectors. of the country’s economy.

Kayode Gbenga | ConsumerConnect

In line with the telecommunications company’s licensing requirements, Mafab Communications Limited activated the deployment of fifth generation (5G) technology services on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 to meet the telecommunications regulator’s deadline.

ConsumerConnect reports that the indigenous telco won the 5G license together with MTN Nigeria in the first phase of the 3.5GHz spectrum band auction conducted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in December 2021.

In the aftermath of the company’s 5G spectrum license win along with MTN 2021, the NCC later granted Mafab Communications a five-month extension to meet its implementation obligation.

By the way, the grace period expires in January of this year.

When launching its 5G services in Abuja, FCT, it was learned that the company said that the first phase of the deployment of the service would be in six cities of this West African country.

This move is said to be related to meeting implementation obligations as contained in the license document for the deployment of network infrastructure in Nigeria.

5G ushers in a new era of ‘infinite possibilities’, says Dr. Mushabu Bashir

Dr. Mushabu Bashir, Chairman of Mafab Communications Limited, speaking at the 5G service rollout in Abuja, described the launch of 5G technology as the beginning of a new era of endless possibilities in the country.

Bashir stated: “The rollout of Mafab’s 5G network is the beginning of immense opportunities for the country as it represents Nigeria’s endless capabilities and possibilities.

“The prospect of increased job opportunities as a result of the value chain benefits that technology will generate and deliver is the dream that we have all come together here to launch.”

The Mafab boss also said, “5G network will usher in a wide range of business opportunities, in which various business teams will expand their borders with operational ease and speed, especially in the fields of education, medical science, engineering, security , businesses such as the banking sector, SMEs, smart cities, transportation, entertainment.”

The new technology will not only benefit urban areas, but will also meet its long-term goal of ensuring that even people in rural areas and villages also enjoy the benefits of this amazing technology, he noted.

The president further said: “It is no secret that the countries that can provide their citizens with the latest network infrastructure, which 5G represents, will also be the ones that will prosper in the years to come.

“They will be the ones that will stay competitive and the ones that will lead innovation as well as bring socio-economic benefits to their citizens.”

He further said: “So, I can declare that with 5G infrastructure, Nigeria will surely be ahead of many other countries, especially in Africa.

“Indeed, with 5G networks, our future as a people and as a country is remarkably bright.”

5G technology vital for security management -Pantami

In his speech on the occasion, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, Hon’able Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said: “MTN started the roll, and now Mafab has joined the queue.

“I congratulate the president of Mafab for his commitment to the success of the company. “It’s absolutely difficult to have a new player that joined the industry in a small period to compete with some of the active players in the industry.”

The Minister also stated that 5G has huge benefits for security institutions because there are security technologies that take advantage of 5G, allowing security institutions to properly manage security situations.

It is recalled that the NCC, as regulator of the telecommunications sector, also authorized Airtel Networks Limited as the third company for the deployment of 5G technology services in the second phase of the 3.5 GHz spectrum auction of the Commission carried out in December 2022.

Subsequently, Airtel Nigeria turned out to be the sole bidder and winner of the license in the auction process.