The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says the processes and schedule for the auction of two lots of 3.5GHz Spectrum will not be cancelled, noting that the final Information Memorandum for the auction has been published on its website.

The NCC says it has the responsibility to manage and administer Spectrum resources for the communications sector in an efficient and effective manner, saying this is for the socio-economic benefit of the country.

It stated that it is the commission’s responsibility, as the industry regulator, to ensure that harmonised and standardised Spectrum resources are made available in a timely manner to ensure its optimal utilization, stressing that the impact of the commission’s regulatory activities in this regard was evident in the contribution of ICT to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

The commission made this known via a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Reuben Muoka.

Mouka noted that its Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (the Act) allows available Spectrum resources to be licensed through different methods, saying the Spectrum licensing via auction “is one of the most transparent methods of assigning Spectrum resources globally”.

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“It is important to note that the Commission in response to requests for more Spectrum lots to be made available during the 2021 Stakeholders’ engagement had estimated a period of 24 months to clear all encumbrances in the remaining two lots of the 3.5GHz band.

“The Information Memorandum that guided the 2021 Auction process further stated the Commission’s intention to migrate incumbent users of the remaining portion of the C-band to free up Spectrum and make it available for the deployment of new services. The Commission has achieved the clearance earlier than estimated 24 months, thus making the Spectrum available for licensing.

“The Commission wishes to reiterate that as a regulatory body holding in trust the management and administration of scarce spectrum resources on behalf of Federal Government that it will continue to make available, the much-needed harmonised and standardised Spectrum resources to the industry. The Auction is designed to boost competition by making it open to both new entrants as well as existing licensees.

“We, therefore, wish to reassure all stakeholders and investors, that the processes and schedule for the Auction of two lots of 3.5GHz Spectrum will take place as planned. The final Information Memorandum for the Auction has been published on the Commission’s website. Interested applicants are advised to adhere to the requirements as specified in the Information Memorandum for participation in the Auction,” the NCC spokesperson stated.

The Star