2.3 GHz: Stakeholders set to tackle NCC on licensing options for 2 slots

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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