5G Network Won’t Make Calls, Data Expensive – NCC

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Nigerians have been assured that the introduction of 5G network will not make calls and data more expensive.

The assurance was given on Thursday by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The regulator gave the assurance at a Stakeholder Engagement Forum on 5G Spectrum Auction on Thursday.

Responding to a question, the NCC said the fact that telecommunication companies want patronage will beat down charges.

Engr. Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC noted that the competition will ensure affordability.

“Competition will make 5G network costs flexible. It would force down the price because this would bring about a good profit margin.

“We expect the unit price to come down. This would favour the operators since more subscribers would be able to buy”, Maska said.

Engr. Oluwatoyin Asaju, Director, Spectrum Administration, corroborated the position.

“Forces of competition will pull down prices. 15 to 20 years is a good time frame for operators to regain their investment.”

Asaju equally promised that the costs will be within the reach of Nigerians.

The cheapest reasonable data package is N500 in a country where millions make a daily earning of N1,000.

Nigerians have expressed fear that the fifth-generation rollout may jerk up data charges.

It is anticipated that NCC’s pledge will bind on telcos.