NCC to auction five 5G Spectrum slots, slams N200, 000 fine on telcos for allowing unregistered SIM
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to auction five slots of spectrum for the deployment of Fifth Generation technology (5G).
Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Professor Umar Dambatta, disclosed this during the public hearing/inquiry on the proposed draft Regulations on Telephone Subscriber Registration, Sim Replacement and Spectrum Allocation, 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria.
Professor Danbatta stated that the Commission has put everything in place to auction five slots of 5G spectrum.
“When I appeared before the Senate, on our readiness for 5G deployment, I said we were 95% but right now we are 97%,” he said.
The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, NCC, Adeleke Adewolu, in his welcome address said that the public hearing/inquiry on the Spectrum Trading Guidelines, Sim Registration Guidelines and Telephone Users Guidelines will help the Commission to improve and guarantee growth in the industry.
Adewolu also appealed to the Commission to look into the N200,000 penalty for active unregistered line and make an upward review so that it can serve as deterrent.
Also, the Executive Commissioner, Finance, NCC, Uche Nwodi, appealed to the Commission to look in the 18 years age limit for mobile network subscribers.
Meanwhile, in her presentation on the general overview SIM Registration and Activation, the Director, Legal Services, Josephine Amuwa, who was represented by the Director, Telecoms Laws and Regulatory Unit, Legal Services department, Mrs. Helen Obi, said that any network provider that allows a pre-registered SIM or SIM without full bio-data is to pay a penalty of N200,000 per SIM.
She also listed some of the new guidelines to include an “Activation window (grace period where a subscriber enjoys limited services before full registration).
“Foreigners with two or more visas are to register their NIN before acquiring a telephone line but those of less than two years-visas are not required to get a NIN.
“A subscriber is a person that is 18 years and above.
“Subscribers are only allowed to register four SIM cards per a network provider.
“For the reactivation of a deactivated line, the person will have to go through the process of new activation of a SIM card,” she added.
Adedoyin Oye of Airtel explained that Airtel has over 300 fibre cuts in a month as a result of construction.
He, therefore, asked for an improved synergy between the Commission, Mobile Networks Operators (MNO) and construction firms to protect MNOs fibres.
