Billionaire ex-Zenith Bank MD and Chairman of Visafone, Jim Ovia has returned a spectrum frequency that was purportedly issued secretly to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Technology Times has reported.
According to Technology Times, Ovia wrote to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms regulatory body, offering to return the spectrum.
It was gathered that the process for the acquisition of the frequency was allegedly done through the back door and should have commanded a higher price in an open bidding.
The report said that Ovia’s request was granted and his N3 billion payment was promptly refunded. Globacom boss, Mike Adenuga who also got the license alongside Ovia is still holding onto his own.
“Digital dividend” is a coveted platform by telecoms companies across the world as it enables them to launch a faster mobile broadband service. According to the reports, the new spectrum is available after the migration of broadcasting from analogue to digital, thereby freeing part of the electromagnetic spectrum previously used for broadcasting.
The Nigerian broadcasting framework is billed to transition from analogue to digital this year.
Digital TV typically needs a lower spectrum than analogue.
Chukwudi Iwuchukwu
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