Proof of Concept (PoC) shall not exceed a period of three months effective from the date of approval — NCC
By Eyo Nsima
The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator has disclosed that Proof of Concept (PoC) license when issued will be valid for three months.
In a statement obtained by The Daily, www.thedaily-ng.com, and signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adindu, the NCC stated that in recent times, it has been inundated with request from the industry for trial frequencies in certain spectrum bands for the purpose of verification of certain concepts and theories.
The NCC disclosed that guidelines were consistent with international best practices and in line with the commission’s strategic vision plan of facilitating the provision of infrastructure for a digital economy.
According to NCC, the guidelines included, “That grant of Proof of Concept (PoC) trial license shall only be granted to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)/Vendors or Operators in conjunction with their Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
“The Proof of Concept (PoC) shall not exceed a period of three (3) months effective from the date of approval and on a non-commercial basis.
“Equipment for Proof of Concept (PoC) must be” typed approved “by the Commission.
“Appropriate Spectrum fees must be paid in accordance with the Commission’s regulations, the statement reads.”
In a document obtained from its website, the NCC, stated: “The Nigerian Communications Commission is the independent National Regulatory Authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria. The Commission is responsible for creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country.
“Over the years NCC has earned a reputation as a foremost Telecom regulatory agency in Africa. The Commission is hoping to catalyze the use of ICT’S for a different aspects of national development. The Commission has initiated several programs such as State Accelerated Broadband Initiative (SABI) and Wire Nigeria Project (WIN) to help stimulate demand and accelerate the uptake of ICT tools and services necessary for the enthronement of a knowledge society in Nigeria.”
It added: “In order to achieve its mandate, the Commission has put in place the necessary licensing and regulatory framework for the supply of telecommunications services.”
