Considering the incessant cases of frequency jams due to rising illegal use of frequency across the country and mainly in city business districts, the federal Government has commissioned Mobile Radio Frequency Monitoring Equipment in Abuja.
Explaining the aims and objectives of the scheme, the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, said the feat is to send final warning to all illegal users of unlicenced frequencies.
The Minister was quick to specifically warn all users of spectrum to regularise the use with the National Frequency Management Council or face the consequences.
Some of the entities suspected to be using illegal spectrums include Ministries, Departments, Agencies, private sector companies, and Non-Governmental Organisations according to an official of the Ministry who pleaded anonymity at the inauguration.
The equipment inaugurated included five state-of-the-art mobile radio monitoring equipment, a National Space Management System, two Denial of Service equipment and a National Control Centre.
The project handled by TCI International Incorporated was approved by the Federal Executive Council in March 2017 at a cost of $9.09m, but paucity of fund frustrated the delivery until now.
Explaining more on the project, the Minister said “With these facilities in place, the ministry now has the capacity and capability to detect, identify and locate the sources of transmissions and is, therefore, able to determine if a frequency user is duly licensed or not”.
“In addition, the use of the state-of-the-art equipment would enable the ministry to ensure that duly licensed users of radio frequency spectrum operate in compliance with technical specifications and licence conditions.
“Consequently, I want to use the medium to inform and urge all MDAs, private individuals and organisations that use the frequency spectrum to enhance communication and transmission of data within their organisations to ensure that they first obtain requisite authorisation from the ministry to use the radio frequency spectrum before they procure and operate any telecommunications equipment.
“In addition, those that are currently using the frequency spectrum without due authorisation are advised to formalise their status of operations. Failure to do so will attract appropriate sanctions,” Adebayo averred.
