Departments

Mr. Festus Daudu

Introduction / Historical Background:
Prior to restructuring of the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the Department of Spectrum Management used to be called ‘Technical Services Department (TSD)’ under the defunct Ministry of Communications. The Technical Services Department was one of the two key professional departments of the former Ministry of Communications. On the demise of the defunct Post & Telecommunications Department in the former Ministry of Communications, the International Relations aspect of their job functions was detached and domiciled in the Technical Services Department of the Ministry.

The  TSD then had been responsible for managing the radio frequency spectrum for both the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors over the years. With the establishment of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in 1992, some aspects of spectrum management were ceded to the regulators. With deregulation and liberalization policy of the new democratic government in 1999 and the enactment of the new Nigerian Communications Act 2003, more powers, functions and independence have been given to the regulators. TSD was then left with the management of radio frequency spectrum for government and non-commercial users of radio frequency spectrum for their private networks.

The Department had always been responsible for the national monitoring of radio frequency spectrum resource, the individual monitoring of radio frequency spectrum for commercial users by both the NCC and NBC notwithstanding.

The department also represents Nigeria Administration at all International bodies that have relevance with the use of radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbital resources. Those organizations include the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation (CTO), African Telecommunication Union (ATU), International Telecommunication Satellite Organisation (ITSO), International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), etc

With the restructuring exercise of the last administration, and the subsequent merger of the former Ministry of Communications with the former Ministry of Information, the former Technical Services Department was renamed Department of Spectrum Management. Although name changed, the functions have remained the same.   The new department still maintains two main divisions and a total of eleven (11)  sections in the new structure. 

The Radio Frequency Spectrum is a free natural resource used for radio communication services by Government, Private, Security & Defence, Commercial Telecommunications Operators, Government and Private Broadcast Industries, Diplomatic Services, Voluntary organizations and agencies, etc. 

Vision Statement of the Department

To make the Department and Ministry at large an agency for transformation of Nigeria’s telecom system and ensure that the radio frequency spectrum is used in the most interference free manner.

 Mission Statement of the Department

To develop good policies and regulations for the country’s telecom industry and manage the nation’s radio spectrum in an open, transparent, accountable and efficient manner for maximal utilization in accordance with international best practices.

Mandate/Functions of The Department

The functions of the Spectrum Management Department are the same with those of the former TSD. The department performs functions as enumerated below:  
• Formulates and develops policy framework for the radio communication sector to guarantee the   effective planning, administration and management of the radio frequency spectrum for efficient use in    the best interest of the nation. It also advises government on the adoption of new technologies for    provision of networks and services for the benefit of the country.
• Handles frequency assignment matters for non-commercial radio frequency users such as   government MDA’s, Private users (such as production/construction organisatios, Oil companies,   Private Security outfits, etc) Diplomatic Missions, Government Security agents, Voluntary &  Humanitarian organizations (such as the Red Cross, NEMA, INEC), etc.
• Serves as the Secretariat of the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), which was   established by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
• Coordinates and liaises with a number of International Organizations, which deal with    communication   matters and Radio Frequency Spectrum / Satellite orbital slots resources and   advises the Minister on their activities. Some of these organizations are: the International   Telecommunications Union (ITU), Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization (CTO), African   Telecommunications Union (ATU), Regional African Satellite Communications Organization   (RASCOM), International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO), just to mention a few of them.
• Advises government on policy issues and carries out coordination with various regulatory agencies   and interested parties in the use of radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbital slots e.g. NCC, NBC, NITDA, NASRDA, NIGCOMSAT Ltd and Defence/ Security Agencies.
• Provides the facilities for national monitoring of the radio frequency spectrum to guard against harmful interference to users.
• Carries out local and international coordination of radio frequencies for space and terrestrial services
• The department raises revenue for the Federal Government which is paid directly to the Federal Treasury. Revenue raised by the department is through:
 a. Sale of initial radio communication license application forms
 b. Sale of Amateur license application forms
 c. Issuance and renewal of radio communication licenses
 d. Type approval testing of radio communication equipment
 e. Value Added Tax

STRUCTURE OF THE DEPARTMENT 
 The Spectrum Management Department, which is headed by an Acting  Director Engr F. Y. N. Daudu is made up of two (2) Divisions namely
 a. Frequency Management Division;
 b. Radio Monitoring, Survey and Projects Division.
The Frequency Management Division is made up of five (5) sections while,  the Radio Monitoring, Survey and Projects Division headed by Engr K. N.  Binga is made up of four (4) International Radio Monitoring Stations and  two (2) Sections. The organogram of the department is as indicated:

Frequency Management Division
The radio frequency spectrum is a limited natural resource that must be properly managed. The Frequency Management Division is charged with the responsibility of managing the radio frequency spectrum for its rational, equitable, effective and efficient use for non-commercial users.
To achieve the objective of spectrum management, the division is divided into five (5) sections which are headed by Chief Officers. The sections are:
(a) Frequency Planning
(b) Frequency Assignment
(c) Licensing
(d) NFMC Secretariat
(e) Frequency Coordination and Liaison
 
Functions/Duties
(a)  Coordinating the regular planning of frequency spectrum and assigns to eligible applicants with a         view to optimizing its utilization among the various radio communication services;
(b) Updating of the National Table of Frequency Allocations and National Frequency PlanChart, taking       into account new Resolutions, Recommendations, Additions, Deletions, Suppressions, Modifications, etc, made after a competent World Radio Communication Conference.
(c) Carrying out frequency planning rules and operation guidelines for radio services in line with Regulations and engaging in short, medium and long term frequency planning strategies to meet the socio-economic and political objectives of government
(d)  Ensuring that all  applications for use of frequency spectrum conform with the national frequency plan and confirming eligibility of applicants for use of the frequency spectrum
(e) Advising on prevailing national frequency plans and relevant TU-R Recommendations as contained in the ITU Radio Regulations for efficient and interference-free spectrum utilization.
(f)   making suggestions/recommendations.on policy issues relevant to spectrum administration.
(g) Promoting efficient use of the limited frequency spectrum resource by encouraging applicants/users to re-use frequencies that have been assigned to them and to use spectrum- efficient equipment in order to accommodate more services and users.
(h) Responsible for the printing and sale of Initial Application forms for frequency licence and processing of monthly returns of revenue generated  to finance Department of the ministry
(i)  Preparation and processing of renewal bills to frequency users
(j)  Issuance/Renewal of private radio frequency Licence/Agreement
(k) Preparation of Ministerial memo for approval
(i)  Processing of application to the Department of state services for security clearance
(j)  Conveying letter of Ministerial approval to the applicants of radio frequency users.
(k) Interfacing with the public
(l) Carries out coordination including frequency coordination and liaison services with local and  international organizations
(m) Carry out detail studies and analysis of ITU circulars on radio frequency issues with a view to taking  appropriate actions and making recommendations to  Government.
(n)  Notification and registration of frequencies assigned to end-users by statutory Commissions such        as NCC, NBC, FMIC with the ITU master frequency register for international acceptance and      coordination by the International Frequency Registration Board (IFRB).
 (p) Serves as the ITU focal point for Nigeria on communications facilities in emergency situations.
 (o) Scrutinizes and recommend telecommunications professionals and practitioners to the ITU Headquarters (Geneva) for Visa Clearance when the need arises.
     Other functions/duties of the Division are carried out by the National Frequency Management Council  (NFMC). The National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) is the apex body for frequency     spectrum management and takes decision on frequency matters in Nigeria. The Secretariat of the    Council is domiciled in the Frequency Management Division of the Department of Spectrum

Management. 
  (a) Assisting and advising the Minister on the representation of the     Federal Republic of Nigeria and carrying out ancillary functions at international and regional spectrum allocation bodies  including but not limited to International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
 (b) Assisting and advising the Minister on the preparation and     negotiation of bilateral and multi-lateral spectrum       allocation treaties with other sovereign administrations
(c)  Assisting and advising the Minister on the preparation, negotiation and adoption of spectrum coordination agreements that are applicable to cross border spectrum uses involving the Federal Government of Nigeria and other countries
(d) Preparing updates and publishing on a regular basis a national frequency allocation table and establish a data bank that  would assist and facilitate the management of the national spectrum
(e) Carrying out bulk trans-sectoral allocation of spectrum to statutory bodies that are authorized by  enabling laws to allocate spectrum to end users
(f) Receiving and collating returns and statistics on spectrum allocation to end users from the statutory bodies specified in (e) above and coordinate their respective activities.

• Membership of the Council as provided by the Communications Act 2003 comprises the following:

(a) Minister in charge of Communications: Chairman
(b) Representative of Communications Ministry: Member
(c) Representative of Ministry of Aviation: Member
(d) Representative of Ministry of Sc. & Tech: Member
(e) Representative of Ministry of Transport : Member
(f) Two Representatives of NCC: Member
(g) Representative of NBC: Member
(h) Representative of Security Organisations : Member

Radio Monitoring, Survey and Projects Division:
Radio Monitoring and Survey serves as one of the principal tools for the spectrum management process.  It provides the vital data on actual spectrum utilization and it also provides monitoring data for programmes organized by the Radio communication Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R), thereby, enabling the Nigeria Administration through the Ministry to fulfill its obligation to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Being a scarce natural resource and taking into cognizance recent developments in the wireless and frequency spectrum-based technologies, there have been competing demands for the use of the radio frequency spectrum. This sometimes results in the illegal use of the spectrum, thereby causing harmful interference to those that have been legally authorized to use the radio frequency spectrum. Such illegal activities have caused Government to put in place mechanisms that would reduce to the bearest minimum such illegal activities and equally to ensure that even licensed users operate within given specifications and conditions of their Licence.

Accordingly, Government embarked on a number of projects by establishing International Radio Monitoring Stations in Ipaja, Lagos State; Azare, Bauchi State; Gusau, Zamfara State and Ogoja, Cross-River State. Only two of the monitoring stations are functional as at now. A new central and national coordinating station is planned for Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Currently, the Division is coordinating/supervising the implementation of a contract that was awarded for the supply and installation of a modern radio monitoring equipment and National Spectrum Management System to enhance monitoring of the radio spectrum. 
  
To achieve the above stated objectives of radio spectrum monitoring, the Division is divided into two sections and four IRMS as follows:
(a) Inspection and Survey/Projects,
(b) Technical Standards and Measurements;
(c) International Radio Monitoring Stations (IRMS) Ipaja, Azare, Ogoja and Gusua

Functions/Duties of Radio Monitoring, Survey and Projects Division

This Division is responsible for ensuring that there are functional facilities for the national monitoring of the radio frequency spectrum. The division also initiates, proposes and supervises the implementation of projects for the department.
The functions of the division involve inspection and survey of premises including Ships and Aircrafts that have radio communication equipment installations, to ensure that their equipment meet national and international standards and are being operated within specifications. The division monitors the use of  radio frequency spectrum to ensure compliance to national and international rules and regulations in the use of the radio frequency spectrum.

Other duties of the division include:
• Carrying out physical inspection of private radio station premises.  Armed with modern test    instruments, the section carries out on-the-spot test on radio transceivers to verify compliance with    the radio regulations
• Impoundment or demobilization of radio station equipment depending on the level of offence
• Carrying out survey of ship radio stations or aircraft stations to certify the sea or air worthiness of the   vessels and aircrafts
• Preparation of tender specifications for all projects of the department
• Evaluation of tenders submitted by bidders
• Supervision of  execution of  projects after contract  awards
• Preparation of annual budget submissions of the department
• Monitoring and detection of radio transmissions in the country with the aid of very sophisticated    equipment
• Detection and determination of illegal transmitters with their locations
•  Helping to resolve disputes between interfering stations by determining who is at fault;
•  Helping to clear new frequencies for assignment to applicants.
• Because electromagnetic waves do not obey any geographical boundaries of any nation, the radio monitoring stations go into international cooperation with other nations to monitor some frequencies   of interest for specific reasons

 Procedure For Acquiring Radio Frequency Licence

Purchase Ministry Initial application form at the cost of Three Thousand Naira (N3,000.00) only with Bank Draft made payable to Sub-Treasurer of the Federation.
Complete the initial application forms and submit to the Ministry with the following;

(a) Cover letter from organization.
(b) Copy of proposed equipment brochure showing all technical parameters.
(c) Copy of proposed Antenna brochure showing all technical parameters.
(d) Copy of cable characteristics.
(e) Copy of company registration certificate with Corporate Affairs Commission.
(f) Copy of Tax Clearance for the past three (3) years.
(g) Copy of vessel registration with Ministry of (Water Transport transportation) for Ship Radio Stations only.
(h) Copy of Air Craft registration with: Ministry of Transport (Air transportation) for Aircraft Radio Stations only.
(i) Letter of introduction from Ministry accredited dealer.   

Radio Frequency Station License Fee is Fifty thousand Naira (N50,000.00) only per station payable direct to the bank after Ministerial approval, while the VAT is paid to the Ministry through Bank Draft payable to the Federal Government of the Federation FIRS VAT Account.

    The License covers only the following categories of users

(i) Private radio users (i.e. non-commercial users) using it to enhance their operations.
(ii) Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
(iii) Diplomatic Missions.
(iv) Security Services.
(v) Maritime.
(vi) Aeronautical.
(vii) Radio Amateur.

All Commercial users get their Radio Frequency License from Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC).

All Broadcasting organizations get their Radio .Frequency License from National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).