NCC’s Spectrum Trading Policy Gets GSMA Supports

The GSMA has stated the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has taken the right steps with the spectrum trading and sharing policies, saying it will allow for an environment that will be better at the efficient use of scarce spectrum resources.

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with almost 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors.

The body disclosed that it has a long-standing engagement with the NCC with regards to the need to develop guidelines to facilitate the transfer, leasing and sharing of spectrum.

The engagement, according to GSMA includes liaison with its members, participation and presentations at local workshops on the subject, as well as written submissions to the leadership of the NCC.

“We are happy that NCC has published the new regulatory guidelines that now facilitate the trading and sharing of spectrum in Nigeria. The GSMA was actively involved in the development of the work that culminated in these guidelines,” GSMA said in a statement.

The statement noted that the policy is a great revolution in the Nigerian regulatory environment and a great achievement for the spectrum, policy and regulatory team in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

In May 2018, the NCC published the new Spectrum Trading Guidelines. The new Guidelines adopted the GSMA recommendations, specifically in allowing not only spectrum trading and leasing, but also spectrum sharing.

The GSMA also recommended the adoption of a 1percent administrative fee as opposed to the 10percent (and then 5percen) which the NCC initially intended. Based on GSMA recommendations, the NCC also came up with ways to ensure the technical and financial capabilities of the buying/leasing party’s in its consideration for spectrum trading applications.