FG to Net $224million From Spectrum Sale in May 2016

The Federal Government is expected to generate in $224 million from the sale of 14 lots in the 2.6Gigahertz spectrum band licensing to telecommunication operating companies slated for May 2016.

According to a document posted on the website of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, titled ‘2.6 GHz Spectrum Auction Information Memorandum’, the sale of the spectrum is part of the National Broadband Plan intended to provide Nigerians access to highspeed internet.

NCC indicated that the document defined the process that the Commission has decided to adopt for the licensing of 2 X 70 MHz paired Spectrum available in the 2.6 GHz band adding that it provides information on the Nigerian telecommunications market, details of the Spectrum to be made available, the prequalification process, the Auction process and indicative timetable.

In addition, it hinted that it had consulted with the relevant industry stakeholders to determine the demand and the best way to issue Spectrum.

NCC stated: “Based on these and observations of developments in international licensing trends, the Commission has decided to license the available 2 X 70 MHz slot in slots of 5 MHz to be aggregated by applicants through the Spectrum auction process.

“The Commission offers 14 Lots of 2 X 5 MHz FDD paired Spectrum in the 2.6 GHz band ranging from 2500 – 2570MHz and 2620 to 2690MHz (totaling 2 X 70 MHz) for auction”, the Commission added.