NCC: Why we are auctioning 2 lots of 3.5GHZ spectrum now, says no going back on exercise

The Commission has achieved the clearance earlier than estimated 24 months, thus making the Spectrum available for licensing

 

Admin l Thursday, November 24, 2022

 

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC has explained why it is going ahead to auction the 3.5GHZ spectrum for the deployment of fifth generation(5G) services in Nigeria, stressing that the auction will take place as planned.

In a statement,  Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka said Section 121 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (the Act)  allows available Spectrum resources to be licensed through different methods.

As he puts it, “Spectrum licensing via Auction is one of the most transparent methods of assigning Spectrum resources globally”, he said, noting that the Commission in response to requests for more Spectrum lots to be made available during the 2021 Stakeholders’ engagement had estimated a period of 24 months to clear all encumbrances in the remaining two (2) lots of the 3.5GHz band.

The Information Memorandum, he said that guided the 2021 Auction process further stated the Commission’s intention to migrate incumbent users of the remaining portion of the C-band to free up Spectrum and make it available for the deployment of new services.

“The Commission has achieved the clearance earlier than estimated 24 months, thus making the Spectrum available for licensing”, he explained.

The Commission  reiterated that as a regulatory body holding in trust the management and administration of scarce spectrum resources on behalf of Federal government,  it will continue to make available, the much needed harmonized and standardized Spectrum resources to the industry.

He explained that the auction is designed to boost competition by making it open to both new entrants as well as existing licensees.

“We, therefore, wish to reassure all stakeholders and investors, that the processes and schedule for the Auction of two (2) lots of 3.5GHz Spectrum will take place as planned”, the NCC said.