ConsumerConnect | 5G Networks: NCC conducts successful 3.5 GHz spectrum mock auction in Abuja

*The Nigerian Communications Commission says it has successfully conducted a mock session for 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum auction, setting the stage for the main auction Monday, December 13, 2021, in Abuja, leading to the deployment of 5G technology in the country

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Ahead of the main auction slated for next Monday in line with its Information Memorandum (IM), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has successfully carried out a mock session for the 3.5 Gigahertz (GHz) Spectrum auction for the deployment of the Fifth Generation (5G) networks in the West African country.

The Commission stated that the simulated auction, which held Friday, December 10, 2021, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, FCT, was preparatory to the main auction scheduled to take place Monday, December 13, 2021, at same venue.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO (left), and Prof. Adeolu Akande, Chairman of Board of Commissioners of NCC

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs of NCC, Friday noted that the conduct of the simulation exercise was in line with the requirements stipulated in the telecoms regulatory Commission’s IM for 3.5 GHz spectrum auction in Nigeria.

The NCC describes the Information Memorandum as “a document that defines the process for the licensing of the 3.5 GHz spectrum band, earlier published on the Commission’s web site at the inception of the auction process.”

Adinde also said using the Ascending Clock Auction System for the mock session, the three qualified bidders for the 3.5 GHz spectrum, namely MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Limited, and Airtel Networks Limited, participated in the software-based simulated auction exercise.

According to NCC, the mock auction was witnessed by Prof. Adeolu Akande, Chairman of Board of Commissioners; Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Commission; Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services; and Barr. Adeleke Adewolu, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management.

Others, who witnessed the mock auction include representatives from the bidding companies, senior management staff from relevant departments of the Commission, technical consultants, software consultants, legal consultants and other external observers, the Commission stated.

NCC set to license two slots in 3.5 GHz spectrum band

Following the successful mock auction, the NCC has disclosed that it is set to license two slots in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band, which are expected to be picked by successful bidders at the end of the Main Auction Monday, December 13.

A cross-section of participants in the mock session for 3.5 Gigahertz (GHz) Spectrum auction in Abuja

The telecoms sector regulator further stated that the auction on Monday would mark a turning point in Nigeria’s determination to harness the benefits of 5G for the country’s socio-economic growth, as concrete roll-out of 5G commences in 2022.

In a brief remark at the Mock Auction Friday, Prof. Danbatta said the Commission had taken all necessary steps to ensure due diligence on the credibility of the consultants and to safeguard the integrity of the software solution being used to carry out the implementation of this historic national assignment.

The NCC EVC/CEO stated: “This is consistent with the open, credible transparent and fair manner by which the Commission is known to have conducted previous auction processes, which have been locally and globally applauded.”

So, in order to ensure a fail-proof process, the Commission also carried out a simulation of the manual process of the auction, aside from the electronic mock.

The Commission also noted this is to ensure that bidders are also familiar with the manual auction in case of any circumstances on the Main Auction Day that may warrant a need to switch to the Manual Auction.

“It is pertinent to note that the two forms – electronic and manual – are clearly stated in the IM and they follow the same process,” said the NCC.

The telecoms regulator further said that representatives of the bidding companies, the Commission, the consultants, and other observers at the Mock Auction expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the simulation exercise, which also provided opportunity for the NCC to perfect the auction process ahead of the Main Auction on Monday.

Implementation of Draft Information Memorandum

Reviewing the process leading to Friday’s event, the Commission said it commenced the procedure for the auction of the 5G spectrum in the last quarter of the 2021, and since then, had carried out a number of activities ahead of the Main Auction.

“October 7, 2021, the Commission had published the Draft Information Memorandum (IM) on the auction of the 5G spectrum on its website (www.ncc.gov.ng) and issued a public notice in major channels, including print, electronic, and new digital media. Comments on the draft IM were received by the Commission up until October 28, 2021.

“On November 3, 2021, the Commission held a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Lagos at which comments received from a broad segment of stakeholders, including the major operators, were exhaustively discussed and considered.

“On November 10, 2021, the Commission published the Final IM, and Stakeholders’ comments thereon on its website and the national dailies, and set the deadline for the submission of bids on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.”

The Commission also noted that as a responsive regulator, it “proceeded to accommodate concerns raised by some stakeholders, due to social disruptions, and extended the date for submission of the bidding applications to Wednesday, November 24, 2021, to Monday, November 29, 2021.

“On December 1, 2021, the NCC announced the three companies – MTN Nigeria Limited, Mafab Communications Limited, and Airtel Networks Limited – as having successfully submitted their bids in line with the requirements of the IM.

The Commission, therefore, commended all stakeholders for all the support, collaboration and partnership they have offered to get to this stage, and implored the stakeholders not to rest on their oars until the bidding processes are concluded successfully.

“Thereafter, the Commission, as it has now become its culture, will rally stakeholders into the next phase of the implementation of the 5G policy” in the country, it stated.

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5G Networks: NCC conducts successful 3.5 GHz spectrum mock auction in Abuja

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