The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has revealed that the Commission does not have absolute power in the deployment of 5G service in Nigeria.

Danbatta, said this while addressing stakeholders on the resilience of the telecom industry, at the NCC’s Public Enquiry on Annual Operating Levy Regulations (AOL) and the Frequency Pricing held in Abuja.

5G is the fifth generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks, which cellular phone companies began deploying worldwide in 2019, and is the planned successor to the 4G networks which provide connectivity to most current cell phones.

“We will very soon deploy 5G services, all the ground works is about to be completed, the plan that will guide the deployment has gone to the board and the board has approved, and it has gone to the federal government for the final approval.

The Commission does not have the final say in the deployment of 5G services in the country. It is the obligation of the federal government to direct the Commission to proceed. But it is of interest to note that the Government is keen.

So it is not surprising that we are attributed with a credit of getting the sector out of recession. We exited that section and this is attributed to the remarkable resilience of the telecom industry.

Speaking on the regulation of the telecom industry, the EVC added;

The Commission since its establishment, has cultivated the culture of constant regulation on whatever we are going to use, on whatever new rules and regulations, guidelines and  these we normally subject to stakeholders consultation so that we get the buying of the stakeholders in the industry and therein lies the openness and transparency that characterize the regulations. Its not something you just sit down in the offices and then you draft and post it as result of the NCC, we don’t do that.

He noted that the approach used in managing the accents in the telecom industry has received international acknowledgement. He added that the commission has been acknowledged for leading the way in transforming the way and manner the government is run and the way essential services are being provided.

“There is no better way of doing this. When you consult, you’ll avoid rancour and acrimony in the way and manner you regulate the industry that has been the point of stress in setting new regulations, Danbatta noted.