The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given telecoms companies who are illegally using a certain frequency spectrum 14 days to stop or risk facing sanctions.
The Commission highlighted that the use of any spectrum by telecoms companies who do not have the necessary licenses is criminal offence and could lead to heavy fines and decision makers could face imprisonment.
Prof. Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of the NCC, particularly warned the all unauthorized users of 5.470-5.725 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum band to desist from doing so in order not to incur the wrath of the Commission.
“The Nigerian Communications Commission hereby informs the general public that the 5.4GHz band spanning 5.470 – 5.725 GHz frequency range is a licensed band in Nigeria,” Dambatta said.
Danbatta reiterated that the transmission of signals or use of equipment in any form on the band without a frequency license obtained from the NCC is illegal and shall not be tolerated.
He warned all concerned operators and companies or any person(s) using the band to note that it was a criminal offence pursuant to the section 122 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003 to operate on any frequency not duly assigned by the Commission. He added that “The Commission shall without further resources 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”.
Staff Writer
