Nigeria Earmarks Upper 6GHz Band to Ease Mobile Network Congestion
Nigeria · TECHNOLOGY
Key Facts
- —What happened Nigeria’s regulator has earmarked the upper 6GHz band, 6425 to 7125MHz, for future mobile networks.
- —How big Its 2026-2030 roadmap aims to raise mobile spectrum from 1.07GHz to about 3.8GHz by 2030.
- —Why it matters Regulator figures cited in 2024 showed over 1,600 fibre cuts and 500 outages a month.
- —The catch The lower half of the 6GHz range is already reserved for licence-free Wi-Fi.
- —Who is affected Operators and subscribers in Africa’s largest mobile market, where outages hit over 83 million users a year.
- —What comes next The roadmap targets December 2027 for the licensing instrument for the upper band.
Nigeria’s telecom regulator has earmarked the upper 6GHz band for future mobile use. The Nigerian Communications Commission, or NCC, has not yet licensed the band, but its roadmap points to instruments by 2027.
The NCC’s Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector (2026-2030) sets a target of expanding assignable mobile spectrum from 1.07GHz to about 3.8GHz by 2030. The upper 6GHz band, running from 6425 to 7125MHz, is one of the main pieces of that plan.
Why the Upper 6GHz Band Matters
The 6GHz range is being split in Nigeria, and the division shapes who gets what. The lower portion, from 5925 to 6425MHz, has been opened for licence-exempt Wi-Fi and WAS/RLAN equipment, which covers short-range wireless access systems.
The upper portion, from 6425 to 7125MHz, is earmarked for International Mobile Telecommunications, or IMT, the technical term for mobile networks. That means it would be licensed to mobile operators rather than shared with Wi-Fi users.
The NCC’s roadmap says the commission will focus on licensing the upper 6GHz band and millimetre-wave bands. It sets December 2027 as the target for completing the licensing instrument for the upper band.
The Cost of Congestion
Network congestion in Nigeria is a measurable problem, not an abstract one. BusinessDay reported in September 2024 that the country records over 1,600 fibre cuts and more than 500 network outages every month.
Those disruptions affect service for more than 83 million users each year, according to the same figures. New spectrum cannot fix a cut cable, but it can add capacity where towers are overloaded.
The NCC has said it is making the 6GHz band available to network providers to tackle persistent outages and congestion. The band spans 5925MHz to 7125MHz and offers a substantial increase in available spectrum.
What the Roadmap Commits To
An earlier NCC draft roadmap for 2025-2030 called for expanding assignable IMT spectrum from 1.07GHz to around 3GHz by 2030. The target has since been raised.
The Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector (2026-2030), still marked as a draft, sets the goal at about 3.8GHz by 2030. That figure covers low-, mid- and high-band terrestrial ranges.
The document says the NCC will monitor the maturity of 4G and 5G equipment to ensure timely assignment of the upper band. It was posted on the NCC website in February 2026.
Lower 6GHz Opens for Wi-Fi
The NCC has already moved on the lower part of the band. Its Framework for the use of the lower part of the 6GHz (5925-6425MHz) band in Nigeria opens that range for WAS/RLAN equipment.
Access is licence-exempt, shared and non-protected, meaning Wi-Fi gear can use the spectrum without an individual licence. Global Validity, a compliance firm, reported the framework was published in January 2026.
Industry trackers dated the framework’s launch to early 2026. The NCC’s public inquiry notice on the roadmap and related guidelines is dated 20 March 2026.
The Public Consultation
The NCC opened a public inquiry on the Spectrum Roadmap 2025-2030 and guidelines for the 60GHz band and lower 6GHz Wi-Fi use. The notice is dated 20 March 2026 and invited comments from industry and the public.
That inquiry gave operators, vendors and civil society a formal chance to comment on the rules. The next consultation on the upper band will be their main chance to press their case.
The roadmap targets December 2027 for completing the licensing instrument for the upper band. Actual assignments to operators would follow after that.
What to Watch Next
The next signal will be the NCC’s response to the public inquiry and any draft framework for the upper band. That document would show how quickly operators can expect new capacity.
For equipment makers and investors, the decision will indicate which vendor ecosystems and technical standards gain ground in Nigeria. The lower 6GHz framework already references ETSI EN 303 687, a European standard for Wi-Fi equipment.
Nigeria’s choice will also carry weight beyond its borders. The country is Africa’s largest mobile market by subscribers, and its rules are often studied by neighbouring regulators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the upper 6GHz band in Nigeria?
The upper 6GHz band covers frequencies from 6425 to 7125MHz. The NCC has earmarked it for future mobile use, with a licensing instrument targeted for December 2027.
How many network outages does Nigeria suffer each month?
Nigeria records more than 1,600 fibre cuts and over 500 network outages each month. Those disruptions affect service for more than 83 million users annually.
What is the NCC’s spectrum target for 2030?
The Spectrum Roadmap for 2026-2030 targets expanding assignable IMT spectrum from 1.07GHz to about 3.8GHz by 2030. An earlier draft had set the goal at around 3GHz.
Is the lower 6GHz band already open?
Yes. The NCC’s framework opens 5925 to 6425MHz for licence-exempt WAS/RLAN equipment, which supports Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E devices. Access is shared and non-protected.
When will upper 6GHz licences be issued?
No licences have been issued yet. The NCC roadmap targets December 2027 for completing the licensing instrument.
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