Telecommunication giant, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc on Thursday began an open 5G experiment in preparation for the imminent launch of 5G services in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Owerri, and Maiduguri.
According to The PUNCH, the Nigerian Communications Commission has set August 24 as the date when 5G licensees must begin rolling out.
Meanwhile, Mafab Communications Limited, the only other telecom company with a 5G license, has announced that it will also fall short of the commission’s deadline.
This is because the NCC granted it a five-month extension to roll out 5G services because of the delays in issuing the telco a Unified Access Service Licence and Numbering plan.
Chairman, Mafab, Musbahu Bashir, said, “I have no doubt that the service will help deliver improvements in the fields of education, business, smart cities and entertainment. The goal remains to launch before the 5-month extension period, and we will be sharing more information in the near future.”
According to MTN, it is testing the new-generation network infrastructure in anticipation of its launch and customers with certain enabled devices will be allowed to connect with and try out the new service where coverage is available.
Speaking on the pilot test, the Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Adia Sowho, said, “Every major technological evolution redefines what is possible – changing the way we live and the way we 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.
