NCC – No Underhand Dealings in Frequencies Allocations

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has debunked reports of underhand dealings in the allocation of spectrum licences to two companies: OpenSkys and Smiles Communications.

Their traducers have alleged that due process was not followed and that national security had been undermined following the allocation of frequencies reserved for the police to OpenSkys.

Reacting to the allegations, the NCC’s Head, Media and Public Relations, Reuben Muoka, said there was no flouting of the rules and the exaggerations and half truths are indications of a lack of “basic understanding of frequency allocation and its processes involved, resulting in unsubstantiated information capable of misleading the public and industry stakeholders.”

According to the NCC, the frequency allocations to OpenSkys were not only in “compliance with the Nigerian Communications Act, but also in full implementation of a presidential directive of 5th July, 2007. This directive was fully deliberated upon by the Board of the Commission during its 62nd, 63rd and 64th Sittings and other subsequent meetings. ”

The commission noted that the provisional offer of frequency was made to OpenSkys as far back as October 2, 2009 one full year before the current EVC was appointed and, at that period, “the Nigeria Police was still occupying some of the frequencies in the 450MHz Band. The then Ministry of Communications had on October 5, 2005, conveyed to the police the decision of the National Frequency Management Board, for it to be relocated by the Commission.

“The decision to allocate part of the 450Mhz frequency was therefore not made by the NCC nor by Dr. Juwah, the NCC EVC. It was a decision that predated his appointment by almost five years”.