The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned sternly against the unauthorised use of the 5.4GHz frequency band.
According to the Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the 5.4GHz frequency band between 5.430 to 5.725GHz range is a licensed frequency in Nigeria. The use of equipment or transmission of signals on this band without a license obtained from the Commission is considered illegal.
The NCC has reminded all telecommunications service providers, private/public organisations, or any person(s) using this band in any location across the country that operating at any frequency not assigned by the Commission is illegal.
To enforce this warning, the Commission has given a 14-day notice to all unlicensed operators on the 5.4GHz frequency band spanning 5.430-725GHz to immediately vacate and desist from the further transmission of signals or use of equipment in any form on this band without authorisation obtained from the Commission.
The Commission has announced that it will commence appropriate enforcement action, including prosecution, fines and confiscation of equipment used in the illegal transmission of services, without further recourse and upon expiration of the stipulated deadline.
The NCC has provided detailed regulatory provisions for the deployment of services on the entire 5GHz band in the Guidelines for Deployment of Broadband Services on the 5.2-5.9GHz band.