By Ahead of the official roll-out of the Fifth Generation (5G) network in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Friday successfully carried out a mock session for the 3.5gigahertz (GHz) spectrum auction for its deployment.
The simulated auction was held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, in line with the requirements stipulated in the Information Memorandum (IM) for 3.5 GHz spectrum auction.
The mock exercise, using the Ascending Clock Auction System, was said to be in preparation of the main auction billed to take place on Monday, December 13, 2021, at the same venue.
The three qualified bidders for the 3.5 GHz spectrum, namely MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Ltd, and Airtel Networks Ltd, participated in the software-based simulated auction exercise.
Present at the mock auction were Chairman, Board of Commissioners of NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande; Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Ubale Maska and the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, among others.
The NCC is set to license two slots in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band expected to be picked by successful bidders at the end of the Main Auction billed for Monday.
The exercise will mark a turning point in Nigeria’s determination to harness the benefits of 5G for the nation’s socio-economic growth as the concrete roll-out of the 5G commences in 2022.
