Telecommunications giant, MTN, launched commercially launched the fifth-generation technology, in Nigeria on Sunday.
The launch took place during an event that enabled guests to test the use of the technology.
Nigeria becomes the third African country to have launched the 5G network, after Kenya and South Africa, following MTN’s establishment of the technology in Lagos.
This follows a pilot launch of 5G by MTN in August, keeping with the Nigerian Communications Commission rollout guideline. In August, the firm announced a pilot launch of 5G and its plan to roll out services in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Owerri, and Maiduguri.
According to the company’s 2022 half-year report, 127 5G sites have been set up in preparation for the 5G launch. The company plans to have a nationwide 5G coverage by 2025, subsequently rolling out this technology in phases.
While speaking at the launch, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, said, “Every major technological evolution changes the way we live, the way we connect; changes what is possible. GSM took phone calls on the road, 2G added texting to our experience (and created a whole new language), 3G brought the internet to our phones, and 4G made video widely available on mobiles.
“5G will change everything. It will allow us to connect, create, collaborate, and compete in ways we cannot imagine yet. Today we will show you a glimpse of the many possibilities 5G has in store. What is most important is what you and every Nigerian can create with it.”
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, noted, “Today, we are celebrating the outcome of the successful auction of the 5G spectrum, we are celebrating the commercial launch of 5G services in the country. This puts the country in the global 5G space and from today many of you will experience the super speed associated with 5G.”
Late last year, in December, two telecommunications companies, MTN and Mafab Communications won the 3.5GHz 5G spectrum license at an auction conducted by the NCC. Nigerian Communications Commission.
Both telecommunications companies were required to roll out the 5G services by August 2022, as part of the conditions for the license grant. While MTN has met the requirement, Mafab hasn’t but has instead been given a 5-month extension.
