Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) appears to be unbending over its decision to auction the 2.5GHz spectrum, alongside other spectrums for commercial telecommunications use, despite agitations from Microwave Multi-channels Distribution Systems (MMDS) operators.

The operators had penultimate week raised alarm that the 2.5GHz spectrum, which had been hitherto licensed to them (MMDS operators) by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) some years back, was being proposed for auction by NCC without consulting them.

But in a paid advertorial in major national dailies last week by NCC, the commission explained that it is going ahead to auction several frequency bands, including the 2.5GHz, following the formal release of the bands to NCC.

According to NCC's Head of Public Affairs, Dave Imoko, NCC intends to assign portions of the 2.5 -2.7GHz frequency bands for commercial telecommunication use in the near future, following the formal release of the bands to the commission. He added that in consequence to the authorisation, there is a need to authenticate and obtain an accurate record on all service providers or users already licensed by NCC, NBC or any other competent authority recognised by the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC).

Although Imoko did not give reasons for the planned auction, having been aware that some operators were already licensed to the spectrums, speculations are rife that the licensed operators are not maximising the spectrums that are believed to be dormant.

NCC had last week called such operators to a meeting in Abuja, but details of their discussions were not made public.

It has also called all initial licensed users of the spectrum in the frequency range to immediately supply photocopy of letter of assignment, photocopy of receipts of payment of the spectrum renewal fees for three years (2006, 2007 and 2008), operational status and states in operation as well as detail contact address of head office or operational base to enable the commission ascertain their respective authorisations.

Other core spectrum that NCC intends to auction alongside the 2.5GHz are 3G TDD spectrum band, 2.3 GHz band, 5.4GHz band, 1800MHz band among others.

The 2.5GHz spectrum, according to MMDS operators, is designed for the use of digital and TV broadcast as well as broadband provision through the use of different format like Wimax and other broadband deliveries.

The MMDS operators, who insisted that the 2.5GHz spectrum is not dormant and it is being used to provide telecom services, condemned the planned auction, insisting that it is illegal and detrimental to do so.

Chief Executive of DISC Communications, Bayo Banjo, who spoke on behalf of other MMDS operators in Lagos, condemned the planned action, explaining that the 2.5G spectrum is in use by MMDS operators since 1993, having been licensed to them by NBC and approved by the National Frequency Management Council.

He said the same licence was renewed earllast year for another five years and fully paid as required, thus questioning the rationale behind the planned auction, since the spectrum is currently in use by broadcasters.

Banjo said MMDS operators have invested well over $40 million on expansion programme and for ordering of equipment, following the order from NBC three years ago that all MMDS operators should scrap their analogue systems and go digital.

The 2.5G spectrum, according to Banjo, is the medium that allows operators to take care of all the diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria, insisting that it should not be auctioned. He said NCC has a lot of telecommunication spectrums to play with and should, therefore, leave the 2.5GHz spectrum for MMDS operators.