The Nigerian Communications Fee (NCC) will unveil a five-year nationwide spectrum roadmap in November, aiming to boost broadband high quality and broaden web connectivity nationwide. The initiative, led by the Govt Vice Chairman (EVC) Aminu Maida, will information how Nigeria allocates, manages, and optimises its finite spectrum assets to satisfy rising digital calls for and obtain the Nationwide Broadband Plan 2020–2025.
Maida, who spoke to TechCabal on the sidelines of Moonshot by TechCabal final Wednesday, described spectrum as “the invisible freeway” that carries knowledge between telecom infrastructure and customers’ gadgets. He likened it to a multilane street community with restricted capability, a finite useful resource that should be effectively managed to forestall congestion and guarantee excessive efficiency.
“Traditionally, we’ve assigned these lanes, our frequency bands, via auctions or administrative processes,” he defined. “However we should additionally be sure that those that get entry really use it successfully, as a result of idle spectrum in a rustic with rising connectivity demand is a wasted alternative.”
Based on Maida, the upcoming roadmap will undertaking Nigeria’s spectrum wants over the subsequent 5 years, aligning them with worldwide frameworks established by the Worldwide Telecommunication Union (ITU). “We’re making certain Nigeria’s spectrum planning follows world requirements,” he stated. “That alignment is essential in order that machine producers and infrastructure distributors can produce gear that works seamlessly throughout markets.”
The roadmap will even tackle legacy challenges in Nigeria’s spectrum administration, from underutilised allocations to fragmented frequency holdings. Maida admitted that previous allocations generally went to operators who lacked the capability to deploy, leading to dormant belongings.
“We’ve seen circumstances the place spectrum was assigned however not used optimally,” he stated. “We’re correcting that via spectrum buying and selling, encouraging operators to lease or promote unused spectrum to those that can deploy it extra effectively.”
This secondary market reform, already underway, has enabled latest trades, together with the spectrum sharing settlement between 9mobile and MTN. The NCC facilitated the transaction to forestall service disruptions and preserve market stability. Maida confirmed that extra trades and coverage updates will probably be introduced inside weeks. “Our knowledge clearly exhibits a correlation between spectrum holding and broadband high quality,” he famous. “Unlocking idle spectrum may have a direct, optimistic influence on consumer expertise.”
Nigeria’s cellular broadband ecosystem depends closely on 4G, whereas 5G deployment stays restricted to main cities like Lagos and Abuja. The roadmap is predicted to speed up 4G densification and help the gradual growth of 5G throughout the nation, whereas enhancing entry in underserved rural areas.
Maida emphasised that the regulator’s final purpose is sustainable connectivity that advantages operators and customers. “We’re an financial regulator, so investments should make sense,” he stated. “However we even have to make sure Nigerians get the standard of service they deserve. After life and well being, connectivity is what individuals depend on daily, and that’s why getting this proper is important.”
The roadmap, in line with the NCC, will type the inspiration for spectrum effectivity, equitable entry, and a extra resilient broadband future for Nigeria past 2025.
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