The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), projected revenue from the take-off the proposed 5G spectrum network may amount to a whooping N500 billion naira from the auction, when the bidding takes off later this year.
This princely sum would also make the NCC one of the biggest revenue earning agency of the Federal Government against the backdrop mandate given to it to proceed with the deployment.
It will be recalled that the Federal Government penultimate week approve the launch of the 5G spectrum after the federal executive council meeting.
If the auction price of 75bn already proposed to the National assembly by Professor Danbatta led NCC sails through, the four major Telecom providers, MTN, Airtel, Glo and Etisalat will remit a minimum of N300 billion if the bidding price per spectrum remains within the N75billion range being proposed.
Besides, this major providers, other smaller and medium network providers will also cough out the princely sum to remain in business.
Since the announcement, the various Telecoms providers have engaged in series of activities aimed at raising enough funds to meet the target as proposed by the NCC.
It will be recalled that Professor Danbatta who spoke at a public hearing of the hearing of the Senate two weeks ago in Abuja said the price may even go as high as N100 billion per spectrum.
According to him, fixing the minimum price is necessary as the auction price can go as high as “N100 billion naira”.
He further stated that “It is very important to stress that, a reserve price for a slot of the 5G spectrum is going to be N75billion, but after an auction by the Committee as it can go as high as N100 billion,”
The NCC boss said that the 5G auction committee has virtually concluded their work with the 5G deployment plan submitted to the federal government, adding that the telecom regulatory body is only waiting for the government to give an order to proceed.
He also spoke of with plans and preparations already in place adding that the 5G deployment will start in Nigeria by next year.
