Broadcasting organization of Nigeria cautions government on proposed sale of frequency slots in 600 MHz Spectrum Band

The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria(BON) has cautioned Nigerian government to retrace its step on the planned sales  of the primary Spectrum allocated to broadcasting, warning that if such is approved  all television stations operating on Frequency 600MHz will be affected negatively

Penpushing reports that the Executive Secretary of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Dr Yemisi Bamgbose gave the caution note in a letter reference number BON/G/53/Vol.6/123 and dated April 25, 2023, written to the Director General National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) headquarters in Abuja

The letter captioned, ‘An urgent call to NBC to save Television Broadcasting from Extermination’, said attention of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) has been drawn to the advertisement placed by the National Communications Commission (NCC) in regards the proposed sale

‘Our attention has been drawn to an advertisement placed by the National Communications Commission titled Availability of Frequency Slots in the 600 MHz Spectrum Band for Nationwide Deployment published on 23 March 2023’, Bamgbose wrote.

‘In the said advertisement the Nigerian Communications Commission has brought notice to the General Public the availability of Frequency Slots in 600MHz Spectrum band for sale. The advertisement further stated that submission of interest closes on or before the close of Business on 28/4/2023’, he noted.

‘Director General Sir, if this sale of the primary Spectrum allocated to broadcasting is allowed to happen, all Television stations operating on Frequency 600MHz will be affected negatively’, the Executive Secretary warned.

Penpushing also reports that the letter pointed out that those that will be affected include: All DTT operators (2) ITS (3) Pinnacle (4) many private Television stations (5) Majority of State Government owned stations (6) Some NTA Community and state stations operating within the range of 600MHz Frequency.

‘The DG will recall that the Frequency 700-800MHz housing some States Government owned and private stations have been sold to Telecom operators, a decision that has created problems that have not been resolved’, Bamgbose emphasised.

‘You will also recall BON’s letters reference BON/G/53/Vol.5/140 dated April 14th, 2022 and Ref BON/G/53/Vol/136 dated March 31st, 2022 through which we called your attention to this negative development’, he added.

Penpushing reports that Bamgbose in the letter said the Director General should note that it is pertinent for the commission to rise up to the occasion of its responsibility by protecting the sector which the agency is primarily created to protect.

‘DG Sir, it is pertinent to ask you and your Commission to rise up to the occasion of your responsibility by protecting the sector which your agency is primarily created to protect.  It is necessary to make it abundantly clear, that, the Digital Switchover which NCC might be capitalising on has not been delivered as expected’, he stressed.

Penpushing further reports that the letter said while Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria ( BON) is not unaware of all efforts put in place by  National Broadcasting Corporation(NBC) for many years to achieve Analogue Switch off, declared that the desired result is still very far from remarkable achievement.

‘We have no doubt that NBC is well aware that the decision concerning Sectoral Spectrum allocation is handled by International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The decision to allow cohabitation of telecom and broadcasting on a Spectrum is yet to be determined by the World Radio Conference. The offer for sale of the broadcast spectrum at this time left much to desire’.

‘It is therefore very curious to ask the National Communications Commission the reason behind rushing to sell the Spectrum that is specifically and legitimately allocated for broadcasting in Nigeria.  More curious is the urgency by which the National Communications Commission is rushing to ensure the sale of the spectrum within short period of expiration of the tenure of the current administration’.

Penpushing also reports that the organization pointed out that consequences of sale of 600MHz Frequency Spectrum by the National Communications Commission will lead to sudden disappearance of majority of the Television stations in Nigeria.

The letter noted that many Television stations are on the 476-700 MHz, including Free view, DTT, Pay TV, Private TV, NTA Community stations and State Government owned Television, stating that without doubt more than 80% of Nigerians will be denied access to Television broadcasting which serves as the authentic source of accurate information, public enlightenment and solely source of entertainment.

Penpushing reports that Bamgbose in the letter said such step will give the foreign media maximum penetration into the nation’s broadcast space which negative consequences can only be imagined.

‘We are appealing to NBC to take all necessary possible legal steps to ensure that the Spectrum which is primarily allocated for the broadcast industry is not sold until after total analogue switched off as prescribed by the International Telecommunication Union and as contained in the Federal Government White Paper on digitisation’.

‘That the National Broadcasting Commission should urgently call a meeting of all stakeholders in the Industry on this and other related matters. We hope NBC will call the attention of the necessary organs of Government to quickly intervene and prevail on NCC to shelve the idea of selling the spectrum until analogue switch off is completed’, Bamgbose emphasised.

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