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Tag: Umar Garba Danbatta

  • NCC to auction 5G Spectrum by Q4 of 2021 — Danbatta

    NCC to auction 5G Spectrum by Q4 of 2021 — Danbatta

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it will auction the Fifth Generation Technology (5G) spectrum by the Fourth Quarter (Q4) of 2021.

    Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, disclosed this at the maiden International Conference on Information and Engineering Systems (ICIES) on Thursday at Nile University, Abuja.

    The conference is centered on “Multidisciplinary Engineering and Applied Sciences”.

    Danbatta, represented by NCC Director of Technical Standard, Mr Bako Wakil, noted that for the process of the allocation auctioning, assigning and commercialisation of 5G spectrum to be seamless and successful, the Federal Government must provide an enabling environment.

    “The government will provide an enabling environment for 5G deployment, but the MNOs will determine their own deployment strategies, subject to alignment with approved polices and other regulatory instruments in force.

    “Securing spectrum for 5G is an antecedent for any operator to commit serious investment to 5G infrastructure.

    “This makes it imperative for the spectrum allocation and assignment process to be concluded as early as possible.

    “The following timeline is proposed as optimal in the policy document 5G Spectrum Allocation (Q2 2021) 5G Spectrum Auction (Q4 2021) 5G Spectrum Assignment (Q1 2022) and Commercialisation of 5G Spectrum (Q4 2022).

    The EVC, who spoke on the topic “5G Deployment: Catalyst for Digital Transformation in Nigeria”, noted that researches and tests had been carried out on the hazardous impact of electromagnetic emissions from 5G and that they were far below the minimum required standard.

    He, however, expressed optimism that 5G indeed was a catalyst for digital transformation in Nigeria and around the world, as it would digitalise and greatly impact the economy of the country.

    “The plan to deploy 5G technology creates need for study of the electromagnetic radiation levels which will be generated by the 5G infrastructure.

    “These tests were conducted in accordance with the International Commission on Non-lonizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines for general public exposure to time varying electromagnetic fields.

    “The results of the test show that radiation from 5G infrastructure is far below the ICNIRP specification for protection of members of the public and therefore, suggest that no public health hazards are expected from the use of 5G in Nigeria.

    “Scientific evidence from studies carried out by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), all show that exposure to radio frequencies are safe and does not cause or initiate the occurrence of cancers.

    “We are hopeful that the 5G revolution will transform our nation and the economy digitally and become a developmental revolution as well as digital transformation tools, reaching out and bringing benefits to everyone everywhere,” he said.

    Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Nile University, Prof. Osman Aras, explained that the conference would provide an enabling platform for students, researchers and professionals in the industry to share views on current research work for advancement of knowledge, technology and multidisciplinary research.

    Aras said the conference would not have any meaning without reaching end users or put to practical use, otherwise, there would be volumes of knowledge on the shelves and internet without consumers.

    “This will form collaborations for advancement of knowledge, technology and multidisciplinary research.

    “We are in an era which has shaped our lives in such a way that our major concerns are contributions to the well-being of others, presently and in the time to come.

    “The outcomes of this conference will therefore, have no meaning unless they reach the end users or put to practical use. Otherwise, we shall have volumes and volumes of knowledge, some on our shelves and others on the internet without any consumer.

    “Many academicians have become aware of this fact as the number of conferences and participants increase dramatically.”

    Prof. Steve Adeshina of the Nile University, who was also the Chairman of the conference, explained that the conference was a collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences.

    Adeshina said: “The conference is indeed a testament of the cooperation that exists between the two faculties.

    “The ICIES is to provide an enabling platform for students, researchers and professionals in the industry across various fields of engineering and applied sciences to share their current research works, exchange ideas and form collaboration for advancement of knowledge, technology and multidisciplinary research,” he said.

  • Pantami tasks Danbatta, NCC on digital economy

    Pantami tasks Danbatta, NCC on digital economy

    Following the reappointment of Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta as the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for another five-year term, the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has charged the EVC and the entire Management of the Commission to redouble their efforts towards actualising the digital economy agenda of the Federal Government.

    The Minister spoke when the Executive Management of the Commission led by Prof. Danbatta paid him a courtesy visit on Monday.

    According to the Minister, the proactive decision to recommend Danbatta’s reappointment to the President for approval was “to ensure stability in the telecommunications industry and consolidate on the gains and successes already recorded in the industry in the last five years of Danbatta’s leadership as the EVC of NCC.”

    Pantami, however, emphasised the need for Danbatta-led NCC Management to work more harmoniously with the Ministry and Agencies towards ensuring effective implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) as well as thorough implementation of the new National Broadband Plan (NBP), 2020-2025.

    “The success of the Commission is our collective responsibility. While we, as a Ministry, do our best to formulate general industry policy and supervise the activities of the Commission, I will urge the NCC family to be united, remove all lines of demarcation, ensure justice, fairness in all decisions and above all, ensure harmonious relationships. This task lies on the table of the EVC,” he pointed out.

    Speaking further, Dr. Pantami reminded the EVC that the focus of President Muhammadu Buhari is currently to boost digital economy, which, he said, has become even more important following the experience of COVID-19 pandemic that has left many individuals and organisations relying more on digital platforms for work and collaboration.

    “So, we expect the NCC, as the telecoms Regulator, to take the issue of digital economy very seriously and give it all the attention it deserves within Commission,” he said.

    Speaking earlier, the EVC appreciated the Minister’s role in his reappointment and reiterated his commitment to taking the Commission to greater heights.

    “I consider my reappointment as the EVC of NCC for another five years, as an honour and a show of the confidence the Hon. Minister and the President have in our efforts at NCC in the last five years. We would like to assure the Hon. Minister of our commitment, as a Commission, to work with the Ministry and other Agencies under the Ministry’s supervision towards advancing the frontiers of digital economy in Nigeria,” the EVC said.

    Those who accompanied the EVC during the visit include the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Ubale Maska; the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Barr. Adeleke Adewolu; Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Shu’aibu Ayuba; and Director, Legal and Regulatory Services, Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye.

    Others are the Director, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr. Efosa Idehen; Director, Public Affairs, Dr. Henry Nkemadu: Director Licensing and Authorisation, Mohammed Babajika and Director, Human Capital and Administration, Barr. Usman Malah, among other management staff.

  • NCC seeks collaboration to rid Nigeria of e-waste

    Seeking collaboration to rid Nigeria of electronic waste (e-waste), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Tuesday opened a public inquiry on regulations for electronic waste and guidelines for disaster recovery.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive (EVC/CEO) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, while declaring the public inquiry open, appealed for the collaboration of stakeholders in the industry.

    Danbatta called on all stakeholders in the telecom and tangential sectors, including operatives of agencies in the security governance sector to collaborate and rid Nigeria of e-waste, which includes irreparable and obsolete devices.

    Citing a recent report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), Danbatta affirms that electronic waste is now the fastest-growing waste stream in the world; and that because the genre of waste is non-biodegradable, like polythene of packaged water, popularly called pure water, it is time stakeholders took concrete implementable actions to arrest the proliferation of electronic wastes.

    The need for coordinated programmes and action to address the rise in tempo and incidents of explosion of e-waste is particularly underscored by the speed of innovations in telecoms industry, defined by the rapid advances in technology which makes it easier and convenient to change malfunctioning gadgets than to repair them.

    The EVC/CEO therefore urged participants to make frank and useful suggestions to deepen the renewed governmental intervention in e-waste management and disaster recovery. He noted that disaster constitute a major disruption with widespread impact on humans, materials and the environment.

    He reminded the audience of NCC’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to address challenges associated with the telecom service provisioning and affirmed that it is in keeping with NCC’s participatory rule-making process and renowned regulatory transparency.

    Attendees and participants at the Inquiry include all shades of telecom service providers and representatives of some public sector organisations including National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

     

  • Nigeria to experiment 5G networks with 5% population

    Nigeria to experiment 5G networks with 5% population

    5G networks are the next generation of mobile internet connectivity in the telecommunications industry, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is hoping to spread the network to at least 5% of the population upon deployment in the country.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, hinted on this while speaking of prospects for the Nigerian telecom industry at the post-Nigeria National Broadband Plan 2013-2018 event hosted by Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in Abuja on Thursday.

    Danbatta, who had said the deployment of 5G networks will foster economic development, also expect the spread of 3G coverage to reach at least 80% of the Nigerian population in the coming years.

    He revealed that currently 56.4% of the population is covered with 3G, and that the commission hopes to spread 3G/LTE services to 100% of the population with a minimum broadband speed of 1.5Mbps.

    With the view to deepening broadband penetration in the country, Danbatta said complete upgrade of 2G BTS to 3G should be expected soon, and that all new sites would be LTE compatible.

    NCC expects to deploy at least one access point of fiber with a 10Gbps capacity in all the 774 LGAs of the federation through the InfraCo project and implement the harmonized RoW charges on State Government highways with Federal at the cost of N145/m, and also eliminate multiple taxation and regulations.

    Meanwhile, according to the latest edition of Ericsson Mobility Report, 5G is expected to reach more than 40 per cent global population coverage and 1.5 billion subscriptions for enhanced mobile broadband by the end of 2024.

    Danbatta had earlier said the commission had identified some potential frequency bands that might be harmonized for 5G deployment and therefore suspended the licensing of those frequencies.

    As the next generation of mobile standards is being finalized, commercial superfast 5G networks are expected to start deployment after 2020.

     

  • E-banking fraud: NCC wants better authentication processes for mobile apps

    As fraudsters continue to exploit the weaknesses of mobile apps, especially mobile banking apps, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said putting better authentication processes in place has become vital.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta stated this during a stakeholder’s forum on Financial Fraud Using Telecoms Platform the commission held on Tuesday.

    The event was organized as a response to the inundated public complaints on the unceasing cases of financial fraud via the use of telecom platforms and is poised at seeking initiatives aimed at creating greater awareness on the issue as well as creating ways of addressing these challenges.

    Danbatta, who delivered the welcome address, stated that the commission is poised for a robust infrastructure to support innovative technologies/services that will enhance the pursuit of excellence and development in all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

    “However, the malevolent use of this technology has become a growing concern in the industry, especially in the area of financial fraud.

    “As mobile apps integration with online payment platforms and other financial resources have improved over the years, the proportion of legitimate trade conducted using mobile phones and other portable devices has also increased.

    “Little wonder then that mobile channels have been seized by cyber-criminals as a new avenue for fraud.

    “Mobile apps as a whole are now quite easy for hackers and cyber criminals to hijack, corrupt, making them tools for fraudsters to steal credentials, impersonate genuine account holders and gain illicit access to funds.

    “Phishing tactics and social engineering ploys such as SIM Swap are part and parcel of the online fraud mechanism regardless of whether the transactions are conducted via mobile phone, desktop browser or point of presence.

    “Fraudsters continuing to exploit these weaknesses, putting better authentication processes in place is vital,” he said.

    Danbatta assured that the commission was collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and other relevant agencies in the fight against e-banking fraud.

    He said, “Effective collaboration and private organisation is a tool to tackling the scourge that has besieged financial and telecoms sectors”.

    At the panel discussion, telecom operators, financial institutions and regulators discussed ways to collaborate and prevent financial fraud.

    The forum drew participants from several regulatory institutions, ministries, department, agencies, telecom companies, financial institutions, industry players, security agencies and members of the press amongst several others.

     

  • Nigeria braces for next level of tech revolution

    Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Garba Danbatta has stressed the need for collaboration among academia, telecom industry players and the regulatory body as the nation gears up for the next level of technology revolution.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Prof. Danbatta was speaking during NCC’s Fifth Roundtable Forum with Academia, Telecom Industry and other Stakeholders when he said, “the emergence of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Smart Cities, 5th generation network (5G), Broadband technology have led to huge opportunities and consequent risks”.

    The forum, holding in Minna, Niger State on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th January 2018 is expected to improve collaboration among the Commission, academia, telecom industry players and other stakeholders to accelerate innovation, industrial growth and sustainable development in the Nigerian telecoms industry.

    Danbatta at the forum on Wednesday said the collaboration is needed to ensure that these technologies are adequately prepared for by the time they emerge in the Nigeria’s telecom ecosystem.

    He acknowledged that innovations, inventions and improvements that evolve from collaboration with academia are a catalyst for improving efficiency and productivity, driving economic growth and attracting more FDI into the country.

    Speaking at the event, Danbatta, represented by Engr Austin Nwaulune, Director Spectrum Administration, NCC, said, to this end, the NCC as regulator of this critical sector, aims to ensure all stakeholders are protected and the industry is nurtured for maximum benefits to all players in the industry.

    He stressed that regulatory excellence has the capacity to drive social and economic transformation in the country and, that the NCC seeks to ensure that regulations match with existing realities.

    Prof Danbatta reiterated that the three areas which are fundamental to future growth and development of the sector include: innovation in terms of new ideas, industry growth in terms of building capabilities and the role of the regulator in promoting synergy between the academia and the NCC while ensuring regulatory excellence and operational efficiency of the industry.

    “The potential opportunities and important aspects that should be considered by all stakeholders are critical aspects that academia are invited to research and proffer pragmatic solutions.

    “The Commission has, among other things, directed funds to encourage innovation by boosting research and development in Universities across the country.

    “There is need to collaborate with emphasis on development of prototypes that would meet the standards required by the industry,” he said.

    Present at the event include members of the academia from various universities and Polytechnics in the North Central region of the country, representatives of telecom companies and other regulatory bodies.

     

  • Nigeria reaches broadband penetration target

    The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, said that Nigeria’s broadband penetration, according to the ITU/UNESCO policy forum, is currently at 22%, indicating that the minimum target to reach 20% by 2017 was met.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the EVC, at a session with journalists recently, explained that the minimum and maximum targets set were 20% and 30% respectively.

    Professor Danbatta further stated that the International Telecommunications Union/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization policy forum would release the latest broadband penetration figures by September 2018.

    “Nigeria’s broadband penetration was between 4 to 6% in 2013 when the target was set and the NCC has since, licensed infrastructure companies (Infracos) to deploy fibre network in various regions of the country.

    “There is an initiative under the office of the Vice President, but being driven by some licensees of the NCC to deploy 18000km of fibre infrastructure.

    “The whole idea is to add 18,000km of fibre in addition to the 38,000km of fibre that we have already on the ground, to make it 56,000km,” he said.

    He also stated that a subsidy of around Three Billion Naira (N3b) had been budgeted to be paid piecemeal to the infrastructure companies to deploy the fibre, stressing “This payment will be predicated on milestones by the licensees”.

    The challenges to broadband penetration in Nigeria include multiple taxation and Right of Way issues, most of which the NCC is working very hard to address.

    The Commission has had very fruitful talks with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) in this regard, Danbatta stated.

    The EVC also reiterated NCC’s commitment to stopping illegal call masking operations in Nigeria.

    “We have discovered that call masking is being perpetrated with small movable devices called SIM boxes and we are in the process of choosing the best from a list of technology solutions used in other countries, to block the devices, track and apprehend the culprits”, he said.

     

  • Why Teleology is yet to take over 9mobile

    Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, has alluded reasons Teleology is yet to take over 9mobile.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Prof. Danbatta gave reasons for the delay in the sale of 9mobile to Teleology at a session with journalists recently.

    Speaking on the sale of 9mobile to Teleology, the EVC stated that a 15.3 billion naira debt owed the NCC and Federal Government by 9mobile had stalled the sale, but that about half had been paid and the technical evaluation and due diligence on the sale have almost been concluded.

    “9mobile owed N12b Annual Operating Levies (AOL) for two years, numbering fees of N1b and spectrum fees of N2.3b and on paying the spectrum fees, half of the AOL and half of the numbering fees, the NCC transmitted a letter of ‘No Objection’ to allow the transfer of shares to United Capital from Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services (EMTS), the original owners of Etisalat Nigeria.

    “As soon as they meet the next conditions and the technical evaluation of Teleology is concluded, we will again transmit the final approval letter of ‘No Rejection’ for transfer of shares from United Capital to Teleology,” he said.

     

  • NCC gives infracos ultimatum to deploy infrastructure or lose licence

    The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has said Infrastructure Companies (Infracos) must rollout visibly within one year after issuance of licence or they have their licences withdrawn.

    The Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, said this on Monday at an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos.

    Danbatta said the commission attained a milestone with licensing of four infracos in line with the recommendations of the National Broadband Plan.

    TheNewsGuru reports, in line with the Plan, the NCC recently licensed Zinox Technology Ltd. for South-East and Brinks Integrated Solutions Ltd. for North East.

    It earlier licensed MainOne Cable Company Ltd., which should provide services in Lagos Zone and IHS, which is to cover the North Central Zone including Abuja.

    “These infracos must rollout visibly in one year after issuance of the licence, or the NCC withdraws the licences,’’ the executive vice-chairman said.

    He said that the NCC had also introduced a subsidy for the infracos to be given to them on attainment of deployment milestones.

    As regards mobile money payment system, Danbatta identified security as a challenge to the system.

    He said that networks in Nigeria were not as secure as they should be, adding that stakeholders were concerned about it.

    Danbatta said that inclusiveness was one of the strategies of the National Broadband Plan.

    “There should be an arrangement that the rural populace has equitable access to telecom service.

    “Discussions are ongoing to see how we can overcome the security issue in service penetration.

    “Kenya had 60 per cent penetration; Ghana has 40 per cent, while Nigeria’s service penetration is nowhere near these figures.

    “The reason for the low service penetration in the Nigerian model is because it is bank-driven, and one of the challenges is security,’’ the NCC executive vice-chairman said.

    Nigeria developed a five-year strategy in 2013 to scale up the nation’s broadband growth by 30 per cent in 2018.

    The plan was developed by the Presidential Committee on Broadband with representation from the various stakeholder groups.

    The committee was co-chaired by former Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, and Zenith Bank Chairman, Jim Ovia.

    The plan recommended licensing of infrastructure companies (Infracos) for the six geo-political zones in Nigeria and Lagos as a stand-alone zone (due to its huge population and revenue-generating potential) to build fiber infrastructure, among others.

    It also recommended licensing of wholesale wireless operators and licensing of additional retail spectrum, and re-farming of existing spectrum to accelerate 4G services.

     

  • NCC hosts TheNewsGuru publisher, news editors, others in Lagos

    In keeping with the Commission’s standards of being transparent with all stakeholders including the media, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) held an elaborate meeting with media houses in which publisher of TheNewsGuru, Mideno Bayagbon was present.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BhomSKJlVPp/?taken-by=midenob

    TheNewsGuru reports the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta spoke with media chiefs and news editors from both traditional and online media organisations.

    Issues discussed by the NCC EVC at the event, which also hosted TheNewsGuru Group Managing Editor, Jewell Dafinone, bothers on the current strides, activities and challenges of the Commission towards improving telecom services and broadband deployment in the country.

    In this opening speech, Prof. Danbatta expressed his appreciation for the quality and quantity of media coverage in the telecom industry which has helped highlight Nigeria as a prime location for investment in Telecoms services.

    Danbatta spoke on the milestone achievement the NCC had reached by licensing four Infrastructure Service Providers (Infracos) and noted that a report by the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) showed that Nigeria’s broadband penetration had reached 22% with 30% being the target set by the National Broadband Plan by 2018.

    He added that a World Bank study had concluded that a 10% point increase in fixed broadband penetration would increase GDP growth by 1.21% in developed economies and 1.38% in developing ones.

    Also speaking at the event was the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, who thanked participants for their continuous and accurate coverage of the Commission’s activities and empathized the importance the Commission lays on its relationship with media practitioners who continuously help promote the activities of the NCC to the general public and International Community.

    At the event which held in Lagos yesterday, it became known that the acquisition of 9mobile by Teleology Holdings Limited is not guaranteed after it had made a non-refundable deposit of $50 million for the acquisition of the Nigeria’s fourth largest mobile operator.