Gwandu appeals for united front on 600MHz spectrum allocation

Joy Agwunobi

As Africa strives to bridge its vast digital divide, the battle for mobile spectrum allocation has emerged as a critical issue affecting millions in rural areas who remain disconnected. With low-band frequencies like the 600MHz spectrum increasingly used worldwide for mobile broadband, African nations face growing pressure to keep pace by securing this essential resource.

Yet, as recent disputes have shown, internal divisions threaten to undermine collective efforts, potentially delaying the connectivity gains that could power underserved communities and unlock immense economic potential across the continent.

At the forefront of calls for unity in spectrum allocation, Bashir Gwandu, former executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and a renowned spectrum expert, has urged African countries to align their objectives to secure the 600MHz mobile spectrum.

Speaking at the Sub-Saharan Spectrum Management Conference 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, Gwandu emphasised that collective action at the upcoming World Radiocommunications Conference 2027 (WRC-27) would be essential to win international support for Africa’s connectivity needs.

Opening the conference with a call for collaboration, Gwandu underscored the importance of unity in spectrum allocation, warning that fractured positions among African countries could weaken the continent’s bargaining power.

According to him, internal competition and resistance to shared strategies have hindered Africa’s spectrum development, diminishing its influence on the world stage. “We must be honest with ourselves,” Gwandu said, stressing the need for transparency and alignment among African nations. “Too often, we, as Africans, neglect each other’s interests, pushing ourselves to the margins rather than asserting a united front.”

Gwandu’s remarks pointed to the recent discord at the World Radiocommunications Conference 2023 (WRC-23), where eleven African countries petitioned for primary mobile allocation and IMT identification in the 614-694MHz band.

However, only Egypt succeeded in securing the allocation, while countries like Rwanda, Guinea, Benin, and Cameroon opposed similar requests from ten other African nations. Among the countries whose requests were blocked were Nigeria, Senegal, Mauritania, Libya, Chad, Gambia, Sudan, Namibia, Somalia, and Tanzania.

Gwandu pointed out that ATU guidelines mandate that any proposal opposed by eight or more countries should not advance under the African Common Proposals (AFCP) framework. “Blocking these requests went against ATU’s own regulations, considering that eleven nations opposed the ‘No Change’ stance,” he said.

“Colleagues, something clearly went wrong at WRC-23, and we as Africans need to address it. We must work together, engage in positive dialogue, and find ways to accommodate the needs of all,” he urged, appealing to the ATU to uphold its own principles to maintain unity and effectiveness.

As founding advocate for the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC) coordination meetings, Gwandu expressed concern over the waning emphasis on cooperation among African countries, especially at such a critical time for spectrum allocation.

He emphasised that the 600MHz band—a frequency increasingly adopted worldwide for 4G and 5G services—is essential for expanding mobile broadband in underserved rural areas.

While many nations in ITU Regions 2 and 3 have designated this spectrum for mobile use, several African countries have yet to adopt a primary mobile allocation approach. This hesitation, according to Gwandu, threatens Africa’s progress in bridging the connectivity gap across the continent’s remote areas.

On the specific matter of the 600MHz band, Gwandu noted that the global shift toward IMT in this range is inevitable, with some countries ready to adopt it now and others likely to follow suit. “Eventually, most of us will adopt it. Many countries in Regions 2 and 3 have already allocated this band primarily for mobile use, and in Region 1, some countries have also changed its status to include either primary or secondary mobile allocation,” he stated.

Highlighting the unique challenges Africa faces, including a 50 per cent connectivity gap between urban and rural areas and high energy costs, Gwandu stressed the urgency of accelerating rural connectivity initiatives. “When making decisions, we must consider each country’s unique circumstances—its geographic size, population density, data demand, capital expenditure needed for network expansion, and energy requirements for high-power systems in rural zones,” he explained.

According to Gwandu, frequency allocation solutions that work for smaller countries like Rwanda or Benin may not be feasible for larger nations such as Nigeria or Namibia.

Gwandu urged African regulators to cultivate competitive market structures that maximise the efficiency of sub-1000MHz bands, including the 600, 700, 800, and 900 MHz frequencies. He emphasised that these low-frequency bands, with their robust penetration abilities, allow operators to deliver affordable connectivity to rural communities.

Additionally, he recommended establishing a framework that accommodates multiple operators within these bands to promote competition and enhance service delivery, bringing high-speed broadband to rural schools, hospitals, and communities.

Citing the GSMA Mobile Economy Report 2024, Gwandu noted that Africa could see an economic boost of up to $130 billion by 2030 from 5G advancements. However, he urged African representatives to strive for even more ambitious goals, ensuring that all nations benefit from the 600MHz primary mobile allocation. “Africa’s path forward depends on our unity and shared resolve,” he added.