NCC opens new spectrum band for licensing, issues guidelines

By Ihesiulo Grace

9 May 2016

Telecoms

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as part of measures to address the challenge of spectrum shortages in the country has revealed plans to open up new frequency bands with guidelines for operators in Nigeria.

According to NCC, the new frequency bands are the 38 GHz and 42 GHz spectrums adding that it would re-plan the already existing 23 GHz Microwave Spectrum band.

The commission has also called for stakeholders input within the next four weeks in the process that will lead to the final determination of the entire licensing exercise.

Speaking at a Stakeholders Consultative Forum on the Licensing in Lagos, NCC’s Deputy Director, Spectrum Administration, ToyinAsaju, said the 38 GHz band is the range of Electromagnetic Frequency spectrum that falls within 37GHz to 39.5GHz, which supports an extremely high degree of frequency reuse due to high directivity of Antennas.

Asaju listed the benefit of the whole process to include availability of brand new spectrum; reduction on the pressure of existing microwave (flexibility) bands; improvement on all forms of services (broadband, data, among others) and removal of network conjections, which will subsequently results in improved quality of service.

Asaju added that the 38GHz band has broad bandwidth, suitable for broadband deployment, which can enhance the utilization of Green Field Spectrum band.

The NCC Deputy Director, said the 38 GHz band has been bench marked against standards from Australia, Hong Kong, United Kingdom and Qatar.

Commenting on the 42 GHz band, which ranges between 40.5GHz to 43.5GHz, Asaju explained, that based on the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) recommendation, the band would have 16 channels of 56MHz each; 1500 MHz duplex separation and 604 MHz Duplex gap.

Speaking on the guideline for the use of the band in Nigeria, he said prospective user must obtain an operational license duly issued by the commission; potential user must apply for spectrum license to use 38 and 42 GHz spectrum bands and those licenses for these bands will be granted on a non-exclusive link by link basis.