5G Deployment: NCC Gets FEC’s Approval to Clear C-Band Spectrum

Bukola Olanrewaju July 4, 2022 TECHNOLOGY, Telecom Leave a comment

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has gotten the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval to clear part of the C-band spectrum within the country’s telecommunications industry of any encumbrances.

FEC noted that this will help to accelerate the deployment of 5G services in the country, the statement signed by the Technical Assistant (Research & Development) to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Femi Adeluyi reads.

According to FEC, the commission was directed to migrate the current users on affected spectrum, towards the successful roll-out/deployment of 5G technology in Nigeria.

These took place during the meeting of the Council on the 29th of June, 2022, following the presentation of 3 memos by Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami).

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Click To Read: Danbatta Inaugurates 18-Member Committee on 3.5GHz C-Band Spectrum Auction for 5G Deployment

Furthermore, with seven and a half (7.5) years before the end of the lifetime of NigComSat-1R Satellite, operated by Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), which currently operates C-Band services on the 3.4 – 3.9GHz spectrum range, NCC and NIGCOMSAT have come to an agreement to relocate/migrate the operations of NigComSat-1R C Band service to another frequency (Standard C-Band Spectrum) and release its current frequency for immediate deployment of 5G in the country.

The approved memos will accelerate the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), especially the pillars on solid infrastructure (broadband) and service infrastructure (platforms).

Pantami also stated that the Ministry will continue to promote initiateves that will transform Nigeria into a country with a sustainable and thriving digital economy.

Recall, Business Remarks reported earlier that NCC has inaugurated a committee to develop the Information Memorandum (IM) for the auction of 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum band which will be used for early deployment of 5G services in the country.

Also Read: NCC, NigComSat Sign MoU on 5G Spectrum to Propel Nigeria’s Digital Economy

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, inaugurated the 18-member Committee in Abuja recently with NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Ubale Maska as Auction Adviser while the Director, Spectrum Administration, NCC, Oluwatoyin Asaju, is the Committee Chairman.

Speaking during the inauguration, Danbatta said, apart from developing the IM for auctioning of C-band spectrum for 5G deployment in Nigeria, the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the committee will include the development of an award process to be used pursuant to which the grant of Spectrum licenses may be made.

The Information Memorandum (IM) defines the process that the Commission has decided to adopt for the auctioning of the 3.5GHz spectrum band. It will provide information on the Nigerian telecommunications market, details of the Spectrum to be made available, the pre-qualification process, the Auction process and indicative timetable.

According to the EVC, NCC, in line with its mandate, has committed enormous resources to ensure harmonised spectrum is secured and released in a timely manner for present and future deployment of services that will underpin the fourth industrial revolution, including International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT-2020) services.