MTN commences the rollout of 5G in Nigeria

MTN Nigeria, one of the mobile telecommunications companies, that won a license to deploy 5G in Nigeria in December 2021, announced that it has kicked off a 5G pilot in the lead-up to its commercial launch.

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Nigerian telecoms regulatory body, had given the license winners – MTN Nigeria Communications Limited and Mafab Communications Limited – up till 24th August 2022 to begin commercial rollout of their 5G networks across the country. Both paid $273.6 Million Each to NCC for the 5G Spectrum License

The company, which intends to launch 5G services in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Owerri and Maiduguri, is testing the next-generation network infrastructure. The company says it will allow customers with certain enabled devices to connect with and try out the new service where coverage is available.

Adia Sowho, Chief Marketing Office, MTN Nigeria, said “Every major technological evolution redefined 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: form 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.”

“We appreciate the unwavering support and leadership of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and the Nigerian Communications Commission in implementing the National Policy on 5G Networks for Niger’a Digital Economy which has driven the implementation of 5G in teh country. We’re honoured to be part of this revolution and being the first to bring 5G to Nigeria we are truly excite about all the possibilities for the nation,” she added.

According to the MD of MTN Nigeria, Mr Karl Toriola in a LinkedIn post,

“I am truly excited to announce that we kick-started our journey to new possibilities with the launch of the pilot phase of 5G today!”

“This is truly a milestone for Nigeria as the wonder of 5G delivers the next leap forward in mobile network technology – higher internet speeds, downloads without delay and near-instant connection when streaming, using apps, loading websites, playing games, or connecting to smart home devices.”

The rollout of 5G in Nigeria is part of MTN’s $1.5 billion plan towards expanding broadband access across Nigeria

This rollout now places Nigeria as one of the countries that has rolled out 5G in Africa apart after South Africa and Kenya. Rain in South Africa was the first network to roll out a commercial 5G network in Africa in 2019.