NCC Sets Aside 38GHz, 42GHz Spectrum Bands For Licensing

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has marked down for licensing 38GHz and 42 GHz bands and re-planning of 23GHz microwave spectrum band in order to open up the telecommunications space for active participation.

The nation’s telecom regulator plans to hold a stakeholder consultative forum in Lagos on May 5, 2015 to sensitize industry players.

The NCC’s invitation to stakeholders signed by Umar G. Danbatta, executive vice chairman, stated that “In line with the Commission’s practice of industry-wide consultations in carrying out its regulatory functions, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is currently exploring options for licensing users in the 38GHz & 42GHz Bands and Re-planning of 23GHz Microwave Spectrum Band”.

“Industry stakeholders, service providers, investors, financiers, VAS providers and experts are therefore invited to an industry consultative forum to chart the way forward for the licensing of service providers in the 38GHz and 42GHz bands and re-planning of 23GHz band within the telecommunication industry” Danbatta stated.

NCC recently announced that it is going ahead to auction the 2.6GHz spectrum licence auction that would take place from May 16, 2015 in Abuja. The spectrum is offered by NCC on a technology neutral basis and can be used to provide any telecommunications services.

Director, Spectrum Administration at NCC, Austine Nwaulune, speaking at an interactive session with the media in Lagos yesterday said the success of the exercise would help the country achieve the 30 per cent broadband target set in the National Broadband Plan 2013-2018.