Telecom operators are seeking the support of stakeholders in the industry as they prepare to deploy the fifth generation (5G) network in the country.
The operators said the priority is the deployment of the technology for the benefit of the economy.
Acting under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), the carriers said contrary to insinuating a spike in end user cost of services, other technologies will continue to run side by side 5G.
The group’s Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, in an electronic chat, said: “It’s too early to be so concerned, rather let us support the players to deploy 5G and the benefits will certainly justify the spectrum cost and other investments.
“We disagree with the claim that 5G services will attract premium costs. Service will continue to be available via the preceding technologies such as 3G and 4G and consumers will have choices. 5G ready devices are already in use on 4G networks and those 5G ready devices will be able to connect to 5G applications once available so cost of devices is certainly not of concern.
“I think we should wait until the operators roll out 5G services and we see the benefits and offerings.
“On the cost of spectrums, in its days, 4G spectrums were also expensive but today the benefits far outweigh the cost of the spectrums at that time.”
MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications were allocated slots for the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum dedicated to the deployment of the technology after emerging winners conducted by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Abuja last year after 11 rounds of bidding that lasted eight hours. While MTN paid fully the spectrum price almost a month to the February 24 deadline set by the NCC, Mafab Communications paid on the due date.
The two companies are confronted with the arduous task of deployment in the face of falling naira value to the dollar which is the currency of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
MTN Nigeria was the highest bidder during the auction; it was followed by Mafab Communications Limited. During the bidding, Mafab added $11,120,000, while MTN Nigeria added $15,900,000.
Airtel Nigeria also participated in the auction but exited, leaving the stage for MTN and Mafab Communication Limited. The Ascending Clock Auction System was adopted by the Commission.
In the first Round of the auction, the bid price was fixed at $199,374,000; $201,367,740 at second Round; $204,388,356.10 at third Round; $209,407,962.50 at fourth Round and $215,782,901.30 at the fifth round.
The auction prices increased progressively to $224,414,217.43 at the Sixth Round; $231,146,643.96 at the seventh Round; $240, 392,509.71 at the eighth Round; $251, 210,172.65 at the ninth Round; and $263,700,050.00 at the Round 10 of the auction exercise.