Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is increasing efforts on releasing new and re-farming existing spectrum bands in the country and quick growth is ready to be observed in the nation’s existing $70 billion investment in its telecoms industry. According to the telecoms regulator, it is also aiming at attracting great investment into the country as it pursues potential investors into investing in owning spectrum licenses to operate in Nigeria.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, during the 27th Conference of the African Network Information Centre for Africa and Indian Ocean (AFRINIC-27) in Lagos, revealed that many initiatives are going on in order to bring more investment opportunities in the sector.
His representative at the forum, Mr. Alhassan Haru, who is NCC’s Director of New Media and Information Security, stated that the earmarking of slots in the 700MHz band for commercial broadband deployment; the re-planning and licensing of the 800MHz, and the 900MHz E-GSM bands for 4G/LTE services are attempts to additionally open up the industry for growth potential.
Others include the opening of the 70/80GHz to facilitate broadband deployment; the licensing of the 2.3GHz for 4G/LTE deployment; and the authorization given by some Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to re-farm the 1800MHz for 4G/LTE deployment.
The CEO of NCC, talking on the theme of the forum, ‘Taking the African Internet to the Next Level through Policy, Collaboration and Education’ encouraged all stakeholders to gradually develop sustainable policies and build greater collaboration to achieve optimal utilization of the resources of the internet.
Danbatta also said the challenge raised by cybercrime also requires the cooperation of all stakeholders in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem.
