The Nigerian Communications Commission has prepared new guidelines for the use of spectrum for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or drones in the country.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, at a stakeholders’ consultative forum on the regulation of drones held in Lagos, said the commission was reviewing the guidelines on the use of 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands to accommodate the emerging technology.
Danbatta, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders’ Engagement at the NCC, Adewolu Adeleke, said it was crucial for the regulator to consult with operators, investors, and other relevant stakeholders.
He said appropriate spectrum for drones and its conditions of use needed to be fashioned out in order to effectively deploy them for security purposes and for commercial services.
Danbatta said, “Furthermore, you may wish to note that the guidelines for the use of 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz spectrum bands are presently limited in its condition of use and therefore requires amendments.
“Toward this end, the new draft guidelines have incorporated some changes which include but not limited to duty cycle, transmission, reception frequencies, power, distance, speed and weight.”
Also, the Director, Spectrum Administration at NCC, Austin Nwaulune, noted that the market for drones had grown exponentially as the technology had found application in several areas that were contributing to the development of nations.
He said drones had a lot of potential in the protection of people and the environment and in surveillance as it had a wider field of view and reduces manual labour.
Source: Punch
