5G subscriptions reach .5m in Nigeria – NCC
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that the total number of subscriptions on the 5G broadband in the country has reached 500, 000 as at half year, 2023.
Executive Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who stated this in a statement, while speaking a n event in Kano State, also disclosed that the figure has now climbed to 47.01 per cent as of July 2023.
According to Danbatta, the commission reported over 60, 000 subscribers from July to present, adding that the NCC is aiming to achieve 50 per cent broadband penetration by the end of 2023, and 70 per cent broadband penetration by the end of 2025.
“Also, from 8 per cent contribution to the Gross Domestic Product in 2015, telecommunications sector now contributes 16 per cent quarterly to the Nigerian economy as of the second quarter of 2023.
“Besides, following the authorisation of more telecommunications companies to operate in the Nigeria’s telecoms sector, the investments profile has increased tremendously from $38bn in 2015 to $75bn currently and this keeps growing daily. From the sales of 5G C-Band Spectrum, the NCC has generated over $847.8m for the Federal Government,” Danbatta said.
Earlier, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said Nigeria was seeking partnerships to boost telecommunication connectivity ‘in unserved and underserved communities.’
According to the minister, connectivity was a catalyst for progress, and the country needed partnerships to close its digital divide.
While MTN Nigeria rolled out its 5G broadband service in September, year on a commercial basis, Airtel unveiled its service in July, of this year.
