By CHIDIEBERE NWANKWO
In its bid to unlock far-reaching, high-speed wireless communication, telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has issued a draft guideline for the use of the 60 GHz license-exempt band spectrum.
This is part of the Commission’s 5-year Spectrum Roadmap recently announced, and a key part of Nigeria’s strategy to ensure wireless communications penetration to rurals.
The 60 GHz spectrum licensing, managed by the NCC, primarily focuses on License-Exempt Bands for Multi-Gigabit Wireless Systems (MGWS), enabling high-speed Wi-Fi and point-to-point links, while facilitating rapid broadband expansion, with recent draft guidelines aimed at boosting innovation.
The NCC regulates this band for efficient use, with plans evolving for future deployments, but the 60 GHz is distinct for license-exempt operation.
With Operating Frequency of 60 GHz, and Range bordering within 57 – 66 GHz, Data Rate of 100 Mbps ~ 10 Gbps Ethernet Systems, the licence-exempt Spectrum will be used for wireless broadband and last mile access allows home-based users to have access to varieties of IP-based services thereby enhancing universal service objectives.
According to the Commission, the provision of guidelines for the use of the 60 GHz spectrum band for Wi-Fi access, Wireless Gigabit (WiGig), 5G offload and related technologies is to ensure rapid expansion of services and accelerated increase in Internet penetration in Nigeria at affordable prices to all categories of users.
The recent draft rule on unlicensed basis in the 60 GHz spectrum (57 – 66) GHz band, issued by the NCC, seeks to achieve the following:
- To allow wider coverage distances for unlicensed 60 GHz to deliver Multi-gigabit Wireless System (MGWS) services such as Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN), Wireless Access Service (WAS), Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) and Fixed Wireless Services (FWS) etc. to support broadband service provision in Nigeria.
- To complement other licensed-exempt bands from congestion due to higher bandwidth.
- To enable wireless broadband technology that can meet backhaul requirements of modern communication systems.
- To ensure equipment comply with the technical specifications in section 5 of these Guidelines;
The NCC further disclosed that the main objective of the Guidelines is to ensure interference-free operation of the 60GHz band and to ensure that a guaranteed Quality of Service is available to the users.
Also the use of the 60 GHz band shall be permitted for both indoor and outdoor use, and all deployment equipment must be type-approved by the Commission prior to importation and deployment in compliance with Section 132 of NCA 2003.
The Commission further warned that wide area deployment will not be allowed. “Coverage or transmission distance from a single hotspot shall be within the distance stipulated in the technical specification. Transmit power, antenna height and gain shall be selected in order to keep emission within stipulated distances. Users of the 60 GHz band are required to notify the Commission upon deployment of services on this band using the template on the Commission’s website via the link with the heading ‘License Exempt Spectrum Registration Form’,” the NCC further issued.
The regulator further listed Licensing Conditions to include that:
- All Wi-Fi Hotspots/PP links shall be registered and authorised by the Commission.
- All authorized Wi-Fi Hotspot/PP links shall be reported annually.
- All commercial Wi-Fi Hotspot/PP link operators shall possess an operational Licence from the Commission.
- All equipment to be deployed must be type approved by the Commission.
- Users of the 60 GHz band are required to notify the Commission upon deployment of services on this band using the template on the Commission’s website via the link with the heading “License Exempt Spectrum Registration Form. Existing users are equally required to submit data on utilization of the frequency on a biannual basis or upon request by the Commission.
The Commission chose specifications that are broadly based on ITU recommendations, European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards and Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) guidelines.
