Stakeholders in the industry expressed uncertainty over the ability of Mafab Communications Limited to roll out service on the fifth generation (5G) in the country as the five-month extension granted it lapses next month.
Recall that MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communication Ltd had won the two slots put on offer during the auction that had $197.4million as reserve price. MTN and Mafab had paid the balance of the bid price of $253.86 million before February 24, 2022. While MTN had beaten the deadline, Mafab paid at the expiration of the deadline.
While MTN Nigeria has since commenced commercial roll out of services in at least six cities in the country, Mafab had been granted a five-month extension to roll out over delays in obtaining its unified operational licence (USAL) and Numbering Plan from the Commission. It only secured the two vital documents at the end of July.
The President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), Deolu Ognubanjo, said the time has come for the company to come out and address the nation about the timetable of its roll out.
He said: “Mafab has about six weeks or so to rollout. The NCC should tell them to operate with the licence. The licence is not for keeps. The industry wants to hear from Mafab. Subscribers are eager that the company roll out to stave off monopoly by MTN.”
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“We are still waiting for Mafab to come out and announce its rollout plans. This is the fourth month it got the extension yet there are no signs that the company will ever roll out. You are also a stakeholder in the industry, have you heard about any landmark deal with any equipment vendor preparatory to roll out? It is doubtful if the company will ever roll out. We will be delighted if it does because it will provide option to subscribers,” an industry source said yesterday.
Chairman of Mafab Communications Limited, Dr. Mushabu Bashir, had said in a press statement that the company remained resolutely committed to the deployment of the technology in the country.
“We are fully committed to bringing the benefits of 5G services to Nigerians and deploying a network that will drive economic development with increased broadband capabilities nationwide. I have no doubt that the service will help deliver improvements in the fields of education, business, smart cities and entertainment.
“The goal remains to launch before the five-month extension period and we will be sharing more information in the near future,” he said.
The 5G will offer Nigerians higher data speed, improved reliability and availability. The benefits are far reaching as the service will enable Nigerians to achieve more with broadband and increase the nation’s broadband penetration, quality of service and capabilities, he added.
Mafab Communications Limited is a telecommunication company incorporated on July 8, 2020, and licensed by the NCC to provide and operate Local Interconnect and International carrier services.
According to the roll-out timetable prepared by the Commission, the operators are expected to complete band clearance and commence operation while by June 2023, they are expected to roll-out in at least two states in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country.