5G Services: NCC offers 2 more slots on 3.5GHz spectrum band

*The Nigerian Communications Commission discloses the final the Information Memorandum for the proposed auction is slated for publication December 18, 2022, while the telecoms regulatory Commission will receive applications from November 21

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Pursuant to the issuance of the Draft Information Memorandum (IM), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has put up two more slots in the 3.5GHz Spectrum band for auction before end of 2022.

ConsumerConnect reports the telecoms sector regulatory Commission stressed the exercise is aimed at boosting the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) services in the country.

The process, which was made public October 21, 2022, with the publication of the Draft Information Memorandum for the auction on the Commission’s Web site, invites stakeholders to study the Memorandum for purposes of making submissions ahead of a review of the IM November 16, 2022.

Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs, at NCC, in a statement issued Tuesday, October 25, 2022, in Abuja, FCT, noted the final IM is slated for publication December 18, 2022, while applications will be received by the Commission from November 21, 2022.

Muoka also explained the closing date for the submission of application, the deadline for payment of mandatory Intention-To-Bid Deposit (IBD), and the Pre-Qualification Stage is set for December 5, 2022.

“Qualified bidders would be notified on 5th December 2022 while notification and publication of the Mock Auction and Auction date will occur on the same day,” the statement said.

The Commission stated the Mock Action is billed for December 16, 2022, while the Auction proper takes place December 19.

The NCC Director of Public Affairs further noted: “The process is anticipated to enter its grant stage on 21st December 2022 with the publication of provisional bid winners and the notification of provisional award of licence.

“The year 2023 will open with the payment for Spectrum Licence and Operational Licence, where applicable January 20, 2023 and on January 23, 2023, the auction process will be concluded with the publication of the result.”

Meanwhile, according to the Information Memorandum, pursuant to the issuance of the IM, the Commission stated it reserves the right to make available additional information through the publication of further documentation.

The telecoms regulator, therefore, urged interested parties to keep abreast of developments in the licensing process by checking regularly for updates on the Commission’s Web site.