Mafab Communications Limited, a telecommunication company, says it has been issued a five-month extension for its 5G network rollout by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

In December 2021, after 11 rounds of bidding that lasted for eight hours, Mafab and MTN Nigeria emerged as the two successful winners of the 3.5gigahertz (GHz) spectrum auction for the deployment of 5G technology in Nigeria.

The commission further confirmed that the two companies fully paid $273.6 million each for the 5G spectrum licence.

In line with the conditions of the 5G licence, the licencees were expected to commence rollout of 5G services effective from August 24, 2022.

But in a recent statement, Mafab said it has been issued a five- month extension following the delays in receiving its unified operational license (USAL) and numbering plan, which did not happen until the end of July.

“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,” Musbahu Bashir, chairman, Mafab Communications Limited, was quoted as saying.

“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 5-month extension period and we will be sharing more information in the near future.”

The company said that the 5G network would offer Nigerians higher data speed, improved reliability and availability. It added that with 5G, Nigerians would be able to achieve more with broadband and increase the nation’s broadband penetration, quality of service and capabilities