By Emmanuel Elebeke

Facilities-based telecommunications services provider, Swift Network and Cobranet yesterday emerged winners of the two slots in the 5.4GHz Spectrum auctioned by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

The two companies offered N27.659,347.10k, respectively for the spectrum which they are expected to use to deploy broadband services in Lagos state.

Six firms, Steam Broadcasting, Juniper Solutions, Swift Networks, Cobranet, Tizeti Network, E-Kennet and Steam Broadcasting bidded for the spectrum but four lost out during the bidding process.

The 5.4GHz spectrum is used for the delivery of wireless broadband services.

Announcing the winners in Abuja, NCC’s Executive Commissioner Technical Standards, Ubale Maska, who presided over the bidding process said the auction would fetch the NCC a total of N55.3 million at the conclusion of the exercise.

He noted that the two successful companies have up to January 5, 2017 to pay N25,784,347.10, which according to him is the balance of the winning amount, excluding the amount paid earlier as Intention to Bid Deposit (IBD).

Eng Maska said it is the duty of NCC as an unbiased umpire to ensure that the exercise    was transparent and fair to all parties concerned in the bidding for the slots.