According to NCC, the spectrum auction would democratize broadband for Nigerians.
According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), attempts to further democratize access to high-speed mobile broadband for all Nigerians include the current process to auction off two more lots in the 3.5GHz spectrum.
This was said by NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), Prof. Umar Danbatta, in Lagos over the weekend at the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria’s (BJAN) 10th Annual Brands and Marketing Conference, where the NCC received the “Regulator of the Decade” Award.
The EVC stated that the current process, for which preparations are well under way, came after the successful auctioning of two bands of the 3.5GHz spectrum in December 2021. The EVC was represented by Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu.
According to Danbatta, the commission is now examining fixed broadband licenses and frameworks to modernize them in light of current issues and improve their effectiveness as part of crucial NCC activities that are already showing promise.
The EVC was adamant that the commission has been relentless in carrying out its mandate to create an environment that is suitable for the introduction and adoption of new technologies, and that the government has adopted a firm stance that the nation must use digital technologies to boost the economy.
He mentioned the creation of policies like the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025 and the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, which the NCC and other agencies and partners are diligently putting into practice.
The conference’s attendees were advised by Danbatta that Nigerian performers have benefited from the telecommunications infrastructure given by technology to build their brands internationally.
“The Nigerian entertainment business has become a worldwide force because to strong reliance on digital media,” he said. One of the largest film industries in the world is Nollywood. In fact, Nollywood makes more movies each year than Hollywood does.
“Due to their fame and brand awareness on social media, Nigerian music singers are in high demand throughout the globe. We should note that many of these new worldwide superstars from Nigeria rose to fame by using Caller Tunes and other mobile multimedia platforms to expand their online followings and build their businesses.
Digital platforms, according to Danbatta, “are encouraging multiple sorts of systemic change, establishing new brands, and depreciating certain brands while simultaneously enhancing the value of other brands. The cycle of innovation, change, and disruption is here to stay and will only become worse as technology advances.
The EVC encouraged optimism among Nigerians, saying, “Let me promise you that the NCC will continue to aggressively pursue the roll out and smooth operation of infrastructure to drive new digital technologies for the benefit of all sectors of our economy. We hope that Nigerian companies will keep using a strong infrastructure to increase their value and make sure that our nation benefits as much as possible from ongoing efforts to implement digital transformation.
