The
Nigerian Communications Commission on Friday said it had decided to open up the
38 and 42-Gigahertz bands, as well as re-plan the 23GHz microwave spectrum
band, to facilitate broadband penetration and improve the quality of
telecommunications services in the country.
It
said that the decision was also consistent with its eight-point agenda to
facilitate strategic collaboration and partnership with relevant stakeholders,
optimise usage and benefit of spectrum, promote fair competition and ensure
operational efficiency.
According
to the commission’s Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, the emerging
trend in the telecoms market in Nigeria today is broadband.
He,
therefore, said, “If we are to achieve government’s broadband target of 30 per
cent penetration by 2018, then this requires massive deployment of critical
infrastructure like the 38 and 42GHz bands.”
The
NCC boss added, “At present, radio spectrum in the 38GHz, 42GHz bands are yet
to be opened in Nigeria, and the channeling plan for the 23GHz needs to be
reviewed in line with international best practice to meet requirement of higher
output.”
Danbatta
stated that the commission recognised that it was important to review the
channeling plan in some of the existing microwave frequency bands, as well as
open and license other frequency bands that were commercially viable.
“This
will enable efficient use of the spectrum. In addition, this will enable the
operators to effectively meet their spectrum needs for roll out of broadband
services,” he said.
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