NCC Gears Up For 2.6GHz sale, Releases Auction Date

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it will not only increase the  Federal Government’s revenue by auctioning the 2.6gigahertz (GHz) spectrum, but will also buoy up indigenous players to play important roles in the industry and boost the Federal Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP).

Speaking on the time table for the auctioning process for the 2.6GHz spectrum in Lagos at the weekend, its Director, Spectrum Administration, Mr. Nwaulume Augustine, said a total of 14 slots are open to interested bidders, adding that each slot will be on offer at $16million each thus bringing the gross total to $224million (about N44.6billion).

For roll out of services, NCC intends to follow the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recommendation setting aside spectrum in the 2.6GHz band for the provision of advanced wireless broadband services.

Mr. Augustine said the spectrum lots won by each bidder would be assigned on a nationwide basis covering all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and that each winner who does not currently hold a Unified Access Service License (UASL) which is the operational license will be issued one at an additional fee of N374,600,000.00”.

Giving details of the indicative timetable, he said April 29 will be the end of the application and payment of mandatory intention, to bid deposit  while by May 6, NCC will notify qualified bidders with notification of mock auction, auction date and publication of mock auction.

He said by May 16, the Commission will conduct a mock auction while the auction proper will be conducted between May 17 and 19.

According to him, applicants must be a company registered in Nigeria with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and must be independent from all other applicants under this allocation.