How NCC will offset cost of relocating NG-1R - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given some insight into how the organisations intends to offset the cost of relocating the Nigeria Satellite 1R as part of the execution of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reports ITREALMS.

ITREALMS recalls that last week, NCC and Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSAT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will facilitate the release of contiguous bandwidth in one of the most suitable frequency spectrum bands for early deployment of fifth Generation (5G) Network services in Nigeria.

Also, ITREALMS gathered that the MoU signing ceremony was the high point of discussions by the two organisations on how to relocate the NG-1R satellite of NigComSat to the standard C-band 300MHz (3.9GHz – 4.2GHz) portion of the band, which is considered more suitable in terms of satellite service offering because of the advantage of cheaper terminal devices for end users.

Giving more insight on how to offset the cost associated with such relocation, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta who described the MoU as historical, revealed how the Commission intends to finance the relocation.

As disclosed by him, the cost of relocating the NG-1R “is expected to be offset from the proceeds of the auction of the 5G spectrum.”

This cost, industry players said runs into millions but will help boost the sector if achieved with a time line without undue bureaucratic delays.

Further, Danbatta said that “For optimal 5G service performance, an average of contiguous 100 MHz of spectrum in the C-band is required by an Operator. However, in Nigeria, only 120 MHz of the band (3.4 – 3.52) GHz is available for mobile services while the remaining 680 MHz (3.52 – 4.2) GHz of the band is used by NigComSat (NG-1R) satellites,” he said.

Danbatta, while stating that the MoU will go a long way in making positive impact on the Nigerian economy, also said it will offer a new chapter of cooperation, collaborations and mutual assistance that will further spur the growth of the telecommunications ecosystem in the country.

ITREALMS recalls that in December 2011, NigComSAT-1R became a replacement for the first Nigerian satellite otherwise known as NigComSAT-1 put in the orbit since May 2007 and was de-orbited in November 2008 follow the development of power fault.

NigComSat-1R, Nigeria’s only communications satellite, ITREALMS gathered, will last until 2026, when the satellite would expire.

Remmy Nweke/DoP