NCC threatens to sanction telcos, banks over 5.4GHz band breaches
SIXTYTHREE COM PANIES led by telecom operators and government agencies in 11 identified states risk sanctions over illegal occupation on the 5.4GHz frequency band in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Communications Commission in a document, indicated that 55 telecommunications companies, six banks and three government agencies were using the 5.4GHz band illegally, stating clearly that the offenders would be sanctioned.
The Commission, which addressed the document to all the unauthorised users, said the 5.4GHz band spanning 5.430-5.725GHz frequency range had been licensed in Nigeria. It stressed that transmission of signals or use of equipment in any form on the band without a frequency license obtained from the NCC was illegal.
In the document signed by NCC those discovered to be using the band in the designated places are doing it illegally.
“Companies, government agencies; telecommunications service providers; private companies or any person(s) using this band in the designated places mentioned should note that it is a criminal offence pursuant to section 122 NCA, 2003 to operate in any frequency not duly assigned by the commission.
“The consequences of such act may lead to imprisonment, sanction and confiscation of equipment used in operating the illegal services,” NCC said in a statement by Henry Nkemadu, the commission’s director of Public Affairs.
In view of this, the commission gave a 14-day enforcement notice to all the unauthorized operators on the band spaning 5.430 to 5.725GHz to forthwith vacate and desist from further transmission of signals or use of equipment in any form on the band without authorization obtained from the NCC.
The telecoms regulator said it shall without further recourse and upon expiration of the stipulated deadline commence appropriate enforcement action including, but not limited to prosecution, fine, and confiscation of equipment used in the illegal transmission of services.
NCC reminded that a detailed regulatory provision for the deployment of services on the entire 5GHz band are contained in the Guidelines for deployment of broadband services on the 5.2-5.9GHz band, which is available on the commission’s website.