Their bone of contention was a
recent giant stride recorded by the nation’s apex broadcasting regulatory body,
which is already changing the broadcasting firmament for good.
The ingenious, hard working and
creative team at the NBC recently succeeded in raising the sum of N34 billion
revenue from telecom giant MTN, through innovative licensing to aid and fast
track the seamless transition of the long awaited Digital Television Switch
Over.
If you would recall, Nigeria was unable to meet the earlier deadline set by the
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) due to the paucity and non release of the N51 billion funding approved for the transition by the previous
administration.
Again, Nigeria’s
inability to successfully transit presents clear dangers for trans-border
signal interference and missed opportunities for increased national broadband
internet penetration, hence the need to legally search for funds outside
government circles.
This new ray of hope that is
expected to usher in a new era in our nation’s broadcasting industry was
transparently done via the licensing of MTN to utilise a portion of the 700mhx
broadcast spectrum to provide converged digital broadcast services, which they
also stated may include broadband.
Interestingly, this milestone that
is currently being applauded by those that genuinely wish the industry well was
achieved with presidential nod and approval.
With this latest development, I’m
optimistic that Nigeria would definitely and smoothly meet the new transition
deadline, which has been proposed under the auspices of ECOWAS and scheduled
for June 2017.
In as much as I do not want to join
issues with those fighting this historic achievement for the nation’s
financially troubled broadcasting industry, one thing I want them to know is
that this partnership with MTN is unarguably the best thing to happen to the
broadcasting and telecom sectors in Nigeria and indeed the African continent.
This is so, because in the past,
most countries, including Nigeria have tried and failed woefully in their bids
to fund digital migration, which is globally seen as a capital intensive
project.
Sincerely, instead of condemnation
and crucifixion, I think the NBC should be commended and decorated with medals
for scoring big and achieving this daunting task, hitherto impossible, through
the innovative licensing of MTN to professionally and passionately provide
converged digital broadcast services on digital dividend.
I’m particularly delighted because
from whatever prism you choose to look at it from, it is clearly a win-win
situation for Nigeria and her broadcasting industry.
Again and as usual, Nigeria as the
big brother, has taken another bold step in showing other African countries how
to assist the government in raising money through the innovative licensing of
the digital dividend spectrum upfront.
Undoubtedly, this innovative
licensing will further provide converged services, innovation in the market
place and most importantly, raise revenue for successful DSO.
The truth in all these unnecessary
and needless controversies being generated in some quarters is that without
this type of innovative licensing as proudly championed by the visionary team
at the NBC, most countries, within and outside Africa will never, I repeat,
will never be able to meet the dreaded ITU deadline.
Obviously, the innovative licensing
came at the right time, because the failure to meet a stipulated deadline would
further widen the digital divide and limit the progress of the DSO.
As bitter as it may sound, the truth
is that government alone cannot do everything, hence the need for those
appointed into key national offices to think deep, improvise and collaborate
with willing corporate bodies to achieve goals that would aid national growth,
provided such transactions are carried out transparently within the confines of
the law.
There is no gain saying the fact
that the NBC under the capable and focused leadership of Mr. Emeka Mba did the
transactions with MTN in line with global best practices.
Amazingly, while endorsing and
drumming support for NBC’s historic move, the revered Commonwealth
Telecommunications Organization (CTO) made it categorically clear that
innovative licensing is unarguably Africa’s best option to quickly and
successfully raise the much needed but eluded revenue for DSOs.
And so far, the CTO endorsement has
consistently been re echoed by most leading broadcasters and respected
stakeholders.
With one voice, they have all
unanimously chorused repeatedly that the type of innovative licensing recently
witnessed by the NBC and MTN is undeniably, the best way to go.
Surprisingly, one very important
thing those calling for Mba’s head failed to realise is that a successful DSO
for Nigeria means that more spectrum on 700 and 800 would be readily made
available as well as the 2.6ghz currently used by cable mmds operators in
Nigeria.
Like I said earlier, whichever way
you look at it, it is totally a win-win situation that will no doubt
reposition, rejuvenate and revamp Nigeria’s broadcasting industry and her
teeming practitioners for global competiveness and best practices.
Painfully, some persons in this
country who are allergic to success, do not like and appreciate it when giant
strides are being recorded in certain sectors for the common good and growth of
our nation.
It hurts so much that in Nigeria,
some persons derive joy in attacking and discrediting any meaningful initiative
that do not emanate from them.
Some persons in their myopic
thinking are alleging that the NBC sold the 700MHz spectrum to MTN for N34
billion without the knowledge of NCC.
From my own investigations, both the
NBC and NCC regulate separate and clearly demarcated sections of the spectrum.
Invariably, what this means is that
each professionally administers its own bundle without interference from the
other.
So, I do not know where the baseless
argument that NBC sold the spectrum to MTN without the knowledge of NCC is
coming from.
Even though talk is cheap, people
should desist from deceiving the public with lies and unverifiable statements
aimed at tarnishing the image of top public officials.
That statement is unfounded and did
not clearly state the true position of duties between both government agencies.
It further shows that the basis to
notify prior to the licensing of MTN does not arise.
Again, I want to emphasise that the
license issued was for a converged digital broadcasting license based on the
existing NFMC protocol for broadcast.
Permit me to say that the above
explains itself clearly.
In the course of my investigations
on this unnecessary brouhaha, an insider with in- depth knowledge of the
workings of both Commissions told me that the 700MHz spectrum does not belong
to the NCC, neither is it their sole property, but that it remains within the
broadcasting frequency spectrum, therefore it is still a broadcast spectrum.
And to prove his point, this
authoritative voice went further to reveal that it would shock Nigerians to
know that as we speak several stations across major Nigerian cities are
currently broadcasting on this same spectrum.
He added that even Cable and UHF
stations are also proudly on this frequency.
To the best of my knowledge, the NCC
which enjoys a very robust working relationship with the NBC is fully aware of
this undisputable and incontrovertible fact.
Since inception, they both know and
respect each other’s boundaries.
Another important information, I
want Nigerians to know is the fact that the NBC as a government approved
regulatory agency do not sell spectrums, but fully empowered by law to license
persons based on their carefully selected and scrutinised applications to
broadcast using available broadcast spectrum as well as other approved formats
such as IPTV among others.
Therefore, it is only after the
successful DSO that the 700 and portions of the 800mhz could be transferred to
NFMC.
What the above explanation clearly
tells us, especially those with discerning minds is that the unfortunate
allegation that NBC sold spectrum is misleading, baseless and unfounded.
Moreover, for those conversant with
the workings of the NBC, especially stakeholders and practitioners, it is an
open secret that approvals are based on applications after a thorough
assessment of the need and impact on the audiences and the market.
It would interest readers to also
know that this was the same approach used by the NBC for IPTV and other forms
of over the top services.
Another allegation that I find
laughable is the idiotic claim that NBC has no right to sell telecoms spectrum
that belongs exclusively to NCC.
It is quite pathetic and unpatriotic
that some persons in their desperate and evil bids to discredit the great works
currently going on at the NBC, especially the innovative licensing
collaboration with MTN, have vowed never to rest on their oars until they bring
down Mba, the cerebral leader of the team.
It is also common knowledge that
desperate and favour seeking Nigerians can go to any length to bring down
anybody in their way, mostly when chasing parochial and mercantile interests.
As a matter of fact, NBC never sold
any spectrum that belongs exclusively to the NCC and can never do such.
It is a law abiding body that is
professionally manned and managed by law abiding citizens with track records of
proven integrity and enviable pedigrees.
My extensive findings, after
consulting widely with authorities on the subject matter, revealed that the
spectrum in question does not belong to the NCC.
These stakeholders whose views are
hugely respected in the industry within and outside our shores, further posited
that it is within the sole authority of the broadcasting sector and therefore
under the purview of the NBC.
Sincerely speaking, what the NBC
deserves currently are accolades and commendations for single-handedly moving
Nigeria towards achieving DSO and not bashings and allegations of not seeking
the permission of the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) and not
following due process in the sale of the spectrum.
What a distraction from those who do
not want anything good to come out of Nigeria, mostly now that President
Muhammadu Buhari’s mantra of CHANGE is boldly and positively sweeping across our
country.
Are the purveyors of these blatant
lies saying they were not aware that these frequencies had since been allotted?
Are they also saying that they were
oblivious that the segment for broadcasting had been ceded to the NBC by the
NFMC a long time ago, same way with the telecom frequencies with the NCC?
The NBC, in case they have memory
loss and have forgotten so soon does not require approval or permission from
NCC or NFMC at this time for the licensing of the spectrum.
Besides, nobody sold the spectrum as
being alleged, what the NBC did was to license it to an operator to utilise and
maximise the frequency to offer converged DTT services for the good of the
industry and Nigeria at large.
And in doing all of these, due process
was strictly followed in tandem with global best practices.
It is also worthy to make clear here
that NBC’s licensing process and procedure are completely different from that
of the NCC.
Another point to note is that the
NBC does not need to refer back to the NFMC each time it issues broadcast
license.
More importantly, NBC’s approvals
are based on applications and the easement of the submitted application
proposals.
Suffice to say that NBC, as a law
abiding body managed efficiently and effectively by thorough bred professionals
followed its own laid down process and international best practice of broadcast
licensing procedures.
Furthermore, the Mba-led NBC also
sought and received all necessary approvals from all relevant authorities while
undertaking this very crucial and important national assignment that aided the
raising of funds for the successful DSO of Nigeria.
There is no doubt that this laudable
initiative would ultimately free more frequency spectrum.
Another important issue these
enemies of the Nigerian nation failed to comprehend is that there is no way you
can talk or achieve digital dividend spectrum without the successful transition
of analogue to digital terrestrial television.
Unknown to many of them, the digital
dividend spectrum for long had been cannibalised by the NCC in several piece
meal allocations that led to its inability to raise the needed funds for DSO.
I find very reprehensible and
unintelligent the allegation that this innovative licensing denied Nigerians of
the right to bid for the spectrum.
Honestly speaking, I still cannot
fathom what these wailing wailers (apologies to Femi Adesina) meant by this
ignoble and unpatriotic statement.
Unfortunately, what they failed
woefully to realise was that this innovative licensing that was never
stealthily or hurriedly done but professionally put to use through a proper
process involving all concerned, is a huge plus for Nigeria and her
broadcasting industry.
Unequivocally speaking, the
innovative licensing of the 700MHz greatly affords Nigerians the best possible
option for the provision of high quality converged broadcasting and
telecommunications services.
Another advantage that comes with
this land mark from the NBC is that it would systematically enable the funding
for a successful DSO, which would in turn free up more spectrum for the NCC to
sell.
Truth is that without this
happening, there won’t be any other option left for the industry.
Above all, the economic importance
of what Mba and his dedicated team at the NBC have done cannot be quantified,
especially when you juxtapose it with the number of jobs that are already being
created with this new national development innovation as well as its multiplier
effects on the industry.
With all sense of modesty, they
deserve a standing ovation and plaudits, not the vilification and campaign of
calumny spear headed by those who never believe in the progress of Nigeria and
visibly scared of the new CHANGE sweeping across our land.
I can confidently beat my chest and
affirm that what Mba and his team recently achieved with the innovative
licensing, is no doubt a giant step for Nigeria and Africa’s broadcasting
sectors.
They need our collective support to
succeed in this new endeavour; therefore we must commend and not condemn them.
Lastly, we should doff our hats for
the NBC for tracking and jamming the operations of the illegal radio station,
‘Radio Biafra’, which has been broadcasting with impunity in some south eastern
states.
NBC has not only succeeded in
jamming the signals of their transmission in Owerri, but has equally installed
sophisticated jamming equipment in Enugu, to forestall the spread of their
illegal activities.
And as you read this, the commission
is currently working and synergising with the Department of State Security
(DSS) to apprehend the culprits behind this menace.
Indeed, the NBC under the competent
leadership of Emeka Mba, a tested and trusted public servant has broken the DSO
jinx through innovative licensing.
*Azuh Amatus is a journalist and
publisher of Daylight.ng, a leading online newspaper and wrote via
publisher@daylight.ng
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