Danbatta urges SMEs to leverage 5G technology to digitise export process

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has called on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to leverage the opportunity provided by the 5G technology to digitise the export market.

Speaking at the NCC Special Day at the ongoing 17th Abuja International Trade Fair, yesterday, Danbatta noted that 5G enables a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone with everything, including machines, objects and devices.

Danbatta said service providers have commenced the launch of 5G in Nigeria, adding that the deployment will start from state capitals and move to the hinterlands.

He noted that though affordability is important to the Commission, the 5G service is not subsidised considering that the services are not provided by the government.

Represented by the Director of the Consumer Affairs Bureau, Efosa Idehen, the EVC observed that the choice of the theme of this year’s trade fair, ‘Creating an Export Ready Market through SME Digitisation’ was apt as it coincided with the approval of the deployment of the 5G technology. He added that the Commission has taken further measures to deepen broadband penetration in the country by auctioning the 5G licence.

The NCC boss expressed NCC’s commitment to ensuring fair competition and a level-playing field among stakeholders in the communications industry to safeguard the interest of consumers.

He said that the Commission’s campaign on NIN-SIM Linkage was to help improve security in the country.