Telecom
NCC Set to license Amateur Radio Frequency
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun the process of licensing 60GHz Band frequency for the deployment of Amateur Radio services in Nigeria.
As a prelude to the licensing process the commission held a stakeholders forum on the modalities on the process in Lagos yesterday.
Prof.Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman / CEO, Nigeria Communications commission said, that the commission as a matter of tradition is institutionalizing formal policy of participatory regulation and the practice of industry-wide consultations in carrying out its regulatory functions.
The EVC represented by Mrs.Abigail Solanke, Director Research & Development, (NCC) stated that, as a world class communications regulatory organization, the commission sincerely believes that their actions must be guided by decisions that takes into consideration the inputs of all stakeholders.
He implore for the active participation of all stakeholders, in the deliberations that would lead towards opening of 60GHz V-band and the development of regulatory framework for amateur radio services in the Nigerian communication industry.
Danbatta said, “As we are all aware, the radio frequency spectrum is the fundamental resource for the provision of wireless communication services and has increasingly become scarce due to the emergence of new technologies and the growing demand for wireless services.
“In line with our eight point agenda to facilitate strategic collaboration and partnership with relevant stakeholders, facilitate broadband penetration, optimize spectrum usage and its benefits, ensure regulatory excellence and operational efficiency amongst others.
“As well as to traditionally institutionalize policy of ensuring participatory regulation by conducting industry wide consultation with all relevant industry stakeholders.
“The commission has decided yet again to provide an avenue for stakeholders and users of telecommunication resources, to converge and make inputs to be considered in the opening up of the 60GHz spectrum band and the draft regulatory framework for amateur radio.”
He noted that, the commission is using this medium to present draft authorization framework for the use of amateur radio services in Nigeria, adding that the intent is to license qualified persons or companies who are interested in the amateur radio services and amateur satellite services for the purpose of non-commercial exchange messages, intercommunication, self training, private recreation, wireless experimentation and technical investigations.
Engr. A. K. Nwaulune, Director, Spectrum Administration Department, Nigerian Communications Commission during his presentation said that, the objective of the authorization is to ensure interference-free operation by all users of the amateur frequencies and optimal utilization of the bands.
He noted that, the purpose of the framework is to provide a clear and comprehensive outline for amateur radio operations in Nigeria.
He said that “eligible persons who may apply for amateur radio licenses must be over eighteen years of age.
“He should be technically competent to operate amateur radio station in line with ITU-R M.1544, which covers the basic skills required of an amateur operator.
“He must have passed the written examination and the practical Morse code test conducted by the Commission or a recognized authority in another country.”
He listed the types of licenses issued by the Commission for Amateur Radio as, Novice Class Amateur Authorization; General Class Amateur Authorization and Advanced Class Amateur Authorization.
Engr. Nwaulune, stated that the Use of Amateur Radio Station without an appropriate license is an offence and punishable under the Act, adding that applicant wishing to obtain an authorization to use an Amateur Radio shall download and complete an application form from the Commission’s website www.ncc.gov.ng. Spectrum Administration Application form.
“Applicant shall pay a non-refundable application fee of One Thousand Naira (₦1,000.00) only through the Central Bank of Nigeria Remita payment platform.
“Foreign Applicant who hold an authorization to operate an amateur radio station shall be issued a license to operate an amateur radio station while in Nigeria. The applicant can apply for the period of stay in Nigeria not exceeding one year,” he stated.
He noted that, the Commission will process an application for Amateur Radio license within 30 days upon receipt of a duly completed application form and evidence of payment of specified fees, provided also that the applicant has passed the mandatory Morse Proficiency Test administered by the Commission.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has dismissed claims of a telecommunications tariff hike allegedly set to take effect in January 2025.
The Commission described the reports as false and unfounded, urging subscribers to disregard the misinformation.
A senior NCC official, emphasised that the regulatory body operates under a transparent framework guided by the Nigerian Communications Act, according to Punch Newspaper.
According to the official, this framework requires stakeholder consultations and strict adherence to due process before any tariff adjustments are approved.
“These rumours are baseless and misleading. The NCC is committed to protecting consumers and ensuring that any potential tariff changes are communicated clearly and transparently,” the official stated.
“Subscribers can rest assured that no tariff increase has been approved,” he added.
The NCC also appealed to journalists and industry stakeholders to verify information before publication, stressing the importance of accurate reporting to avoid unnecessary public panic.
Reiterating its commitment to consumer interests and the stability of the telecommunications industry, the Commission assured Nigerians that updates on tariffs or related matters would always be communicated through official channels.
The Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) also addressed the rumours.
Speaking in Lagos, Mr Sina Bilesanmi, national president, ATCIS, stated that the association sought clarification directly from the NCC on December 24, 2024.
“The NCC confirmed there is no truth to claims of call charges increasing to N15.40 per minute from N11, SMS charges rising to N5.60, or 1GB of data costing N1,400 instead of N1,000.
“Any changes in tariffs, if necessary, will follow due process and involve input from all stakeholders, including ATCIS. There is no cause for alarm,” Bilesanmi said.
Both the NCC and ATCIS emphasised their commitment to consumer protection and urged subscribers to rely on verified information from credible sources.
Telecom
UnoTelos and Niral Networks Forge Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize Connectivity in Africa
UnoTelos, a leading telecommunications innovator in Nigeria, has announced a groundbreaking strategic partnership with Niral Networks, an advanced Private 5G and EDGE AI computing solutions provider from India.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in addressing connectivity challenges and driving digital transformation across Africa.
Transformative Connectivity Solutions
The partnership between UnoTelos and Niral Networks emerges from a shared vision to overcome critical network infrastructure limitations that have traditionally hindered technological progress in the region. By combining UnoTelos’ deep understanding of the African market with Niral Networks’ cutting-edge NiralOS 5G Core and Edge AI technology, the collaboration aims to deliver secure, low-latency, and scalable connectivity solutions.
“This partnership is more than a technological alliance—it’s about empowerment,” said Jude Egbokwu, Founder & CEO of UnoTelos. “We are not just solving connectivity problems; we’re creating opportunities for businesses to innovate, grow, and compete on a global stage.”
“Our collaboration with UnoTelos represents a pivotal moment in the digital transformation journey across Africa. By integrating Niral Networks’ advanced Private 5G and Edge AI technologies with UnoTelos’ profound system integration capabilities and market insights, we are not just deploying telecom infrastructure—we are engineering ecosystems for innovation. This partnership is strategically designed to address the continent’s most critical connectivity challenges, enabling industries from mining to oil & gas to leapfrog technological barriers and compete on a global scale,” said Abhijit Chaudhary, Founder & CEO of Niral Networks.
Strategic Focus and Initial Deployments
The initial partnership will concentrate on pilot projects across key strategic sectors, including:
- Mining
- Oil and Gas
- Manufacturing
- Shipping & Ports
- Aviation & Airports
- Logistics & Warehousing
The modular design of NiralOS Private 5G and Edge provides the flexibility to customize solutions that meet the unique requirements of each industry, ensuring efficient and targeted deployment.
Technological Innovation and Market Differentiation
By leveraging NiralOS Private 5G and Edge, UnoTelos is positioning itself at the forefront of telecommunications innovation. The partnership enables enterprises in Nigeria to access advanced connectivity solutions that were previously unavailable or prohibitively expensive.
Key technological advantages include:
- Secure and reliable private network infrastructure
- Low-latency communication
- Scalable edge computing capabilities
- Tailored solutions for specific industry needs
Economic and Developmental Impact
The partnership is expected to catalyse digital transformation across multiple sectors. Potential applications include smart factory solutions, enhanced remote operations, and sophisticated IoT-enabled systems that can dramatically improve operational efficiency and competitiveness.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, UnoTelos and Niral Networks envision expanding their collaboration, with plans to:
- Increase deployment scope
- Develop more advanced connectivity solutions
- Support the development of Private 5G & EDGE infrastructure
- Advance critical sectors like telemedicine and autonomous systems
Since Friday, December 27, 2024, when Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, announced an increase in its monthly subscription prices across Nigeria, effective immediately for new customers and starting January 27, 2025, for existing users, the industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is yet to react officially.
In an email to its subscribers on Friday, the company stated that the price adjustments are necessary to enhance its network infrastructure and maintain the delivery of high-quality internet service across the country.
The new pricing structure is as follows: Standard (Residential) ₦75,000, Mobile – Regional (Roam Unlimited) ₦167,000, and Mobile – Global (Global Roam) ₦717,000.
“These changes reflect our commitment to investing in the infrastructure needed to support and improve your experience with Starlink,” the company said.
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