Information and Communications
Technology (ICT) stakeholders in the country are set to tackle the Nigerian
Communications Commission (NCC) at today’s one-day stakeholders engagement forum
on further licensing options for two 20 Mega Hertz (MHz) slots in the 2.3 Gega
Hertz (GHz) band.
NCC through the department of
public affairs, confirms to DigitalSENSE
Business News that the stakeholders meeting would hold in Sheraton Lagos
beginning by 9am, with the Executive Commissioner in-charge of Stakeholders
Engagement, Hon. Okey Itanyi and Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene
Juwah leading members of the commission.
DigitalSENSE Business News
recalls that the Commission had licensed part of the 2.3 GHz frequency band on Time
Division Duplex (TDD) in slots of 20 MHz per operator in the year 2009.
Also noteworthy is that the band now has three operators with 20 MHz
each, out of the planned five slots of 20 MHz each.
This, NCC said, makes two slots of 20 MHz, nationwide, available for
licensing.
According to sources at the Commission, it’s considering licensing the
two remaining slots and has received memoranda from the three existing operators,
requesting the Commission to issue the slots to them instead of putting it out
for public licensing, which was attributed to mutual interference experienced
between them.
NCC, therefore calls for input
to facilitate the Commission’s decision, and in line with its policy of
participatory regulation, via the planned stakeholder engagement forum.
This forum, which holds today, Monday, March 4, 2013, NCC said would
discuss the options available for licensing the remaining slots.
Pointing out that the major option for consideration amongst others
that Stakeholders may propose include public auction one license with 30 MHz (1
X 30) to one new operator and use the remaining 10 MHz as Guard Band between
adjacent slots and at the edges of the band.
“A call for memos on proposed licensing options, which should be
technically justified, is canvassed. This
should not however exclude further views which Stakeholders believe are
relevant,” NCC said.
Stakeholders, also have duration for the inputs, which says that those
interested in submitting inputs have until February 28, 2013 to respond to this
call for input and addressed to the EVC of NCC with attention of Head Spectrum Administration (2.3 GHz).
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