The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) have rejected the planned sale of the 600 MHz spectrum by the Nigerian Communications Commission (ICON).
The NCC had announced in March the availability of frequency slots in the 600 MHz spectrum band for implementation throughout the country.
But BON in a letter said the sale of the frequency would lead to the sudden disappearance of most TV stations in the country and give foreign media maximum penetration into the nation’s broadcast space.
In the letter, dated April 25 and addressed to NBC’s CEO and signed by Yemisi Bamgbose, BON’s executive secretary, the organization urged NBC to take all possible legal steps to ensure spectrum is not sold until it is necessary. measures had been taken to protect.
The letter read in part: “Our attention has been drawn to an announcement placed by the NCC, titled ‘Availability of Frequency Slots in the 600 MHz Spectrum Band’, published on March 23, 2023.
“In said announcement, the NCC notified the general public of the availability of frequency slots in the 600 MHz spectrum band for sale.
“If this sale of primary spectrum allocated to broadcasting is allowed to occur, all television stations operating on the 600 MHz frequency will be negatively affected.
“Among those who will be affected are all DTT operators; IS; Pinnacle; many private television stations; most stations owned by the state government; some NTA community and state stations operating within the 600MHz frequency range.”
The organization explained that the 700-800MHz frequency, which houses some state and private stations, has been sold to telecommunications operators, a decision that has created problems that have not been resolved. He noted that the digital transition that NCC may be capitalizing on has not delivered as expected.
BON said that it is aware of all the efforts made by NBC over many years to achieve an analog blackout, but the desired result is still a long way from the remarkable achievement.
“Therefore, it is very curious to ask the National Communications Commission the reason behind rushing to sell spectrum that is specifically and rightfully allocated for broadcasting in Nigeria,” the statement said.
“More curious is the urgency with which NBC is rushing to secure the spectrum sale within a short period of the expiration of the current administration’s term.”
The BON official noted that NCC’s sale of the spectrum will lead to the sudden disappearance of most TV stations in Nigeria.
“Many TV stations are in the 476-700 MHz band, including freeview, DTT, pay TV, private TV, NTA community stations and state government owned TV.
“Without a doubt, more than 80 percent of Nigerians will be denied access to broadcast television, which serves as an authentic source of accurate information, public enlightenment and sole source of entertainment.
“It will give foreign media maximum penetration into the nation’s broadcast space where the negative consequences can only be imagined,” the statement said.
In a separate letter seen by Newslodge, NBC said the NCC’s action, advertising a frequency band that is allocated exclusively for broadcast by the ITU, is an illegality.
“Accordingly, NCC is advised to immediately withdraw the announcement and cease and desist any further action in the 470MHz-694MHz band,” the letter reads.