The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to auction five slots of spectrum for the deployment of Fifth Generation Technology, better known as 5G.
This was disclosed by the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), of the NCC, Professor Umar Dambatta on Tuesday in Abuja.
Danbatta spoke during the public hearing/inquiry on the proposed draft Regulations on Telephone Subscriber Registration; Sim replacement and Spectrum allocation, 202i. He disclosed that the Commission has put everything in place to auction five slots of 5G spectrum.
“When I appeared before the Senate, on our readiness for 5G deployment; I said we were 95% but right now we are 97 percent.”
Also, the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, NCC; Adeleke Adewolu, in his welcome address said that the public hearing/inquiry on the Spectrum Trading Guidelines; Sim Registration Guidelines and Telephone Users Guidelines; will help the Commission to improve the industry.
“This spectrum trading guidelines, telephone users’ guidelines and SIM replacement guidelines would help to guarantee growth in the industry,” he said.
Further, Adewolu appealed to the Commission to look into the N200,000 penalty for active unregistered line; adding that there should be an upward review so that it can serve as a deterrent. In addition, the Executive Commissioner, Finance, NCC, Uche Nwodi appealed to the NCC to look in the 18 years age limit for mobile network subscribers.
Meanwhile, in her presentation on the general overview Sim Registration and Activation; the Director, Legal Services, Josephine Amuwa who was represented by the Director, Telecoms Laws and Regulatory Unit, Legal Services department; Mrs. Helen Obi, said that any network provider that fails; or allows a pre-registered sim or sim without full bio-data is to pay a penalty of N200,000 per Sim.
She also listed some of the new guidelines such as, “Activation window ( grace period where a1 subscriber enjoys limited services before full registration) a period has been increased from 30 days to 60 days
“Foreigners with visas two or more are to register their NIN before acquiring a telephone line. But those of less than two years visas are not required to get a NIN.
“A subscriber is a person that is of 18 years and above.
“Subscribers are only allowed to register four sim cards per a network provider
“For the reactivation of a deactivated line the person will have to go through the process of new activation of a Sim card,” she added.
Equally important, Adedoyin Oye of Airtel explained that the telco has over 300 fibre cuts in a month as a result of construction. Therefore, he asked for an improved synergy between the commission; Mobile Networks Operators, MNO, and construction firms to protect MNOs fibres.
MNOs also appealed to the NCC to make provision for them to go to senior citizens and VIPs for registration/sim replacement.
