Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has extended the deadline for submission of bids by interested operators with regards to the auction of the 3.5GHz spectrum, as earlier advertised by the Commission.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the regulator noted that the postponement was to allow intending participants more time, which may have been deprived them due to a lag in air transportation.
The statement titled “EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF BIDS AND INITIAL BID DEPOSIT IN RESPECT OF THE 3.5GHz SPECTRUM AUCTION”, read in part: “The Nigerian Communications Commission invites the Public to note that the submission of responses in respect of the 3.5 Gigahertz Spectrum Band auction was scheduled to close on Wednesday, 24th November 2021.
However, due to the challenges posed to air travels as witnessed recently and considering that it may have some impact on intending bidders regarding the submission of their bids, the Commission hereby extends the deadline for submission of bids and Initial Bid Deposits (IBDs) to 5.00 pm on Monday, 29th November, 2021.”
The Commission however noted that all other events as scheduled in the Information Memorandum remain unchanged.
The NCC had earlier in the year, published an Information Memorandum announcing bid process and time guide to the auction of the 3.5GHz spectrum., which is to make way for the licencing of the fifth generation (5G) technology.
Following the publication of the Draft IM for the auction, the NCC held a forum to further engage stakeholders and get inputs that will form the final IM for the Spectrum auction.
The Commission is offering two (2) Lots of 100 MHz each in the 3.5 GHz band ranging from 3500 – 3600 MHz and 3700 to 3800 MHz for auction. The Spectrum is offered by the Commission on a technology neutral basis for provision of communications service. The Generic Reserve Price (GR) for one Lot of 100 MHz and has a value of One Hundred and Ninety-Seven Million and Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$197,400,000.00) or its equivalent in Naira at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rates at the time of the auction.
The proposed licensing of 3.5 GHz Spectrum has been influenced by the need to open up the space for the delivery of present and future generations of broadband services to subscribers in line with the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025.The Commission has consulted with relevant industry stakeholders to determine the demand and the best way to assign the Spectrum . Arising from these, and in line with global trends, the Commission further to its powers has commenced the licencing process for 2 lots of 100 MHz each through the Spectrum auction process.