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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