The Nigerian Communications Commission is auctioning frequencies in the 2.6GHz spectrum to interested buyers, according to a statement by the Commisssion on it website.
In the announcement signed by the Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah, it asked all those interested in participating in the bid to down the information memorandum from the Commisssion’s website.
It stated in the memo that it had since the year 2000 implemented a number of initiatives and policies that have stimulated the whole of the Nigerian telecommunications sector, which he said had resulted in “a significant increase in the provision of liberalised and competitive services leading to major increases in the number of mobile subscriber connections throughout the country.”
NCC said further, “Given its position as one of the most progressive national regulatory authorities in Africa and its drive to deepen broadband penetration in the country, the Commission has decided to license the entire 2 X 70 MHz slot available in the 2.6 GHz band to support the delivery of broadband wireless services nationally.
“Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa with a population of about 173.6 million people as at 2013 according to the World Bank. The population has grown at a rate of 2.3% for each year from 2000 to 20131. Approximately 60% of the population is under the age of 202. In line with these demographic changes internet penetration has increased from less than 0.1% in 2001 to about 54% in December 2014.
“The 2012 National ICT policy placed broadband internet penetration for both mobile and fixed broadband at about 6.1%.has The Federal Government of Nigeria has placed 14 licences on offer at N130.5 billion in the 2.6GHz spectrum auctions planned to begin May 5 in Abuja.”
The available slots of 14 licences will be enable the winners to offer broadband services across the country, under a government plan to offer impetus to diffusion of high-speed Internet services in Nigeria.
Abuja, the nation’s seat of power will in June this year play host to bidders for the licences, hoped to open up new stakes in the market for broadband services across Nigeria.
“The proposed licensing of 2.6 GHz Spectrum has been influenced by the need to open up the space for the delivery of present and future generations of broadband services to subscribers in consonance with the Nigerian National Broadband Plan of 2013,” the commission said in the memo.
NCC it decided to auction the “entire 2 X 70 MHz slot available in the 2.6 GHz band to support the delivery of broadband wireless services nationally” is also assuring investors of market potentials for their stakes in the communications industry.
“Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa with a population of about 173.6 million people as at 2013 according to the World Bank. The population has grown at a rate of 2.3% for each year from 2000 to 2013. Approximately 60% of the population is under the age of 20.”
