Pantami, Danbatta harps on gains as MAFAB rolls out 5G network services
By Ogaga Ariemu
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economic, Prof Isa Pantami, the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta have highlighted gains of 5G network as MAFAB communications, launched 5G services.
Speaking at the unveling ceremony of MAFAB 5G networks in Abuja, Pantami reiterated that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation has increased by 594 percent following the laudable contribution of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.
“On 17 and 18th of October 2022 a ministry performance review was organised by our principal President Muhammadu Buhari where all the Ministries where evaluated by independent assessors in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Federation. The contribution to the economy from the base line given to me form when I came into office in August 2019 we were able to increase revenue generation by ICT sector by 594 per cent. This is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria. And the quarterly generation by the ICT sector as at when I took over was around N51 billion Naira but today it is around N408 billion Naira and it is still increasing. And with the deployment of the 5G, there are still many opportunities that will come onboard. So the benefits of the 5G network deployment is beyond just quality of service.” Pantami said.
On his part, the EVC NCC, Prof Danbatta said Nigeria’s journey to embracing 5G network will not be possible with the support of President Muhammedu Buhari and relevant stakeholders in the telecom industry.
Earlier, the Chairman/Founder of MAFAB Communications, Dr Mushabu Bashir, said the takeoff of the MAFAB 5G network highlights Nigeria’s strengths and limitless potentials.
“The 5G technology is not just a mobile network but represents a new culture, in a new era of connectivity where billions of devices exchange data and instill intelligence in our everyday life. It creates new, intelligent systems; and it can help to develop new advanced manufacturing models. I cannot forget to mention the prospect of increased job opportunities as a consequence of the value-chain benefits the technology will generate and offer. That is the dream we have all gathered here to launch today.” He noted.
While enumerating the enormous opportunities which the network promises for Nigeria, Bashir said that the “5G network will usher into this country a wide array of business opportunities, wherein various business outfits will expand their frontiers with operational ease and speed, especially in the fields of education, medical sciences, engineering, security, businesses like the banking sector, SMEs, smart cities, transportation, entertainment which will not benefit only urban area but, also meet our long-term goal of ensuring that even people in rural areas and villages also enjoy benefits of this amazing technology”.
In his presentation, a MAFAB’s Communications Spokesperson, Adebayo Onigbanjo while unveiling the company’s new logo, stated that the company will provide improved wireless voice and data services to Nigerians.
While 5G promises high speeds, minimal latency, and quick downloads, Onigbanjo said that the company’s commitment to Nigerians is ubiquitous data.
“As an operator born in the data age, Mafab will aim to serve our customers and the country by maximizing the value of the digital technology. Broadband is now an essential requirement and our data native network aims to deliver this to Nigerians”, said Onigbanjo.
MAFAB communications is one of the three companies that won the bidding for the 5G 3.5GHz Spectrum licenses in Nigeria.
The company also presented a brand-new logo to herald a beginning of an era of limitless opportunities made possible by technology.
