NCC reveals deadline for 2.3GHz frequency licensing

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that the process for the 2.3GHz frequency licensing should have been completed by March 14, 2014.

The NCC statement, which was communicated through its website, also stated that a mock auction would take place on February 14, 2014 and the main auction would be scheduled to hold between February 19 and 20.

The winner of the frequency, who would become a national internet service provider, is expected to make payments for it by March 13 and the final results are to be announced on March 14, the date scheduled for the conclusion of the process.

As stated by the NCC in memorandum containing information on the auctioning process, “Fixed Internet access in Nigeria is limited, but there are mobile Internet services available.....

However, there is scope for offering higher speed services in 2.3 GHz. There are a wide range of economic sectors, which need higher speed Internet access.

“The Nigerian Broadband Plan 2013-18 lists a wide range of e-government services, which need to be introduced as soon as possible. These include issuing national identity cards, driving licences and registration of companies, among many others.

“In order to introduce these services, individual departments require high-speed Internet access; so, from government quarters, there is a large latent demand for broadband access service from providers.

“Nigeria is a large country of over 900,000 km2 with a huge and diverse agricultural sector. Seventy per cent of the labour force is engaged in agriculture and agricultural businesses have a potential need for Internet access in order to check market prices and find information about the latest farming practices.

The memorandum also stated that high-speed internet services would be a welcome development for Nigerian educational institutions.

The NCC also stated that, “There is a considerable market gap for reliable and affordable high-speed Internet access for both large and small companies in Nigeria. Companies are very keen to make greater use of the Internet because of the opportunities to improve efficiency and enable cost saving.”

-The Nigerian Telegraph