The Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria has rejected the planned sale of the 600MHz spectrum band allocated exclusively for broadcasting in the country.
The denial was conveyed by BON Executive Secretary Yemisi Bamgbose in a letter to the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission. The letter, titled “Urgent Call to NBC to Save Broadcast TV from Massacre,” urged NBC to take necessary steps to prevent the sale of spectrum until the Digital Switchover is completed. The International Telecommunication Union, and as stated in the Federal Government’s White Paper on digitalisation.
Bangbose said: “Our attention has been drawn to an advertisement placed by the NCC titled ‘Availability of Frequency Bands in the 600 MHz Spectrum Band’ published on March 23, 2023.
“In the said advertisement, the NCC alerted the general public about the availability of selling frequency slots in the 600MHz spectrum band. The advertisement further states that the period for submission of interest will close on or before April 28, 2023.
“Chief Executive Sir, if this sale of prime spectrum allocated for broadcasting is allowed to take place, all televisions operating on the 600MHz frequency will be adversely affected.”
He added that if the proposed sale of spectrum by the NCC goes ahead, it would leave the country’s broadcasting space open for unhindered entry by foreign media bodies, which would have negative consequences.
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