The game may be up for those individuals and institutions
currently using the 5.2-5.9 GHz band without relevant authorization.
 |
| Dr. Eugene Juwah, EVC of NCC |
Feelers reaching ITRealms
Online from the telecommunications
apex house in Abuja indicated that Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) may
be gearing up to literally bite those unauthorized users on this frequency band.
Investigations by ITRealms
Online indicated that this band range gives a boost to wireless access and
classified to an extent as enabling technologies to operate not only on the
Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) bands of 2.4 and 5.8 GHz bands but
other bands like 2.0, 3.5, 5.0, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 GHz among others have been
crossly used by financial institutions, hitherto known as license exempt
spectrum.
It was also gathered that these users take advantage of this
band without commiserate frequency allocation procedure from the government,
hence NCC is frowning at it.
Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications
Commission, Mr. Tony Ojobo had in recent public notices, even published in some
six national dailies warned that it has come to the notice of the NCC that
despite these efforts to quit the band of illegal use of 5.2-5.9 GHz band, some
banks are still operating in the band.
He therefore reiterated that all banks in Nigeria to consult
their ICT service provider(s) to confirm that they are not buying bandwidth
from illegal operators and unauthorized service providers on the 5.470-5.725
GHz band.
He insisted that all concerned banks or any persons affected
should once again note that it is a criminal offence pursuant to Section 122
National Communications Act (NCA) of 2003 to operate in any frequency not duly
assigned by the Commission.
The consequences of such act, he said, may lead to
imprisonment, sanction and forfeiture of equipment used in operating the
illegal services.
Ojobo was particular that section 141 of the NCA 2003 gives
the Commission’s officials, authority to enter any affected person or
licensee’s premises.
In view of the above, he said, all banks operating within
the 5.4GHz band spanning 5.470-5.725 GHz frequency range are hereby advised to
immediately vacate the frequency band.
“The Enforcement Unit of the Commission shall without
further recourse commence appropriate nationwide enforcement action including
but not limited to prosecution, fine and confiscation of equipment used in the
illegal transmission of services,” he warned.
Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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