While parsing through a recent Saharareporters publication on OpenSkys Services Limited (OSL) (an indigenous telecommunications firm based in Abuja), dated April 16, 2015, I was immediately shocked beyond belief by a number of unfortunate inaccuracies and misrepresentations in the body of the report. I could also sense an intentional and concerted effort by multiple players who are misguided to unfairly and atrociously sensitize the public about OSL and its well-meaning investors.
In the most simple and candid tone, I will attempt to bare the facts on OSL and its $470 million security network, which was acquired through a transparent and legally guided process and with utmost probity.
Going back to how it all started, OSL was awarded 450MHz spectrum in 2009 by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for rollout of communications services nationwide. The prerequisite for assigning the 450MHz frequency to OSL by the NCC was for OSL to pay for the re-tuning of the old transceivers of the Nigeria Police (NP) supported by the frequency and also purchase new communications equipment for the NP as earlier agreed with the Police authorities and NCC.
The publication alluded that there is an ongoing plan by OSL to rush the licensing process before the new administration assumes office. To lay such a claim is incongruent with the facts. The process of acquisition of license is painstaking, where scrutiny is imperative and where all relevant stakeholders are intrinsically involved. The sensitivity of the services provided through the Nigerian National Public Security Communications System (NPSCS) network is such that due process is mandatory and unavoidable.
The assertion that OSL ?proposed to scrap the NPSCS network?, according to the report is anchored on the fact the existing GOTA technology, which supports the NSPCS project is moribund, ineffective and incapable of providing any advantage towards the war against terrorism in Nigeria. On this backbone, OSL proposed to upgrade the existing platform to an LTE network for efficiency.
In reference to the allegation that OSL issued a cheque of N350 million to migrate the police Band A to Band L instead of N1.77 billion is yet another attempt to rubbish the good image of OSL by inputting figures that never existed. In fact, OSL paid the sum of 350,000,000.00 (Three hundred and fifty million Naira) on the 4th of April 2012 to the NP based on approvals by the latter and the NCC for the re-tuning of NP transceivers supported by the 450MHz Band and purchase of new communications equipment for the NP to enable full migration to the new frequency assigned to the Police in 2009. The N1.77 billion migration cost only exists in the imagination of the authors of the malicious publication who are only motivated by contempt and anticipatory chaos.
The NP was previously utilizing part of Band A on the 450MHz frequency with other organizations. Most of the frequency was equally supporting federal government agencies like Voice of Nigeria (VON) and several Oil & Gas companies. It was on successful evacuation of VON and the Oil & Gas companies from the said Band that the 450MHz Band was assigned to OSL by the NCC. OSL paid the sum of N892M to NCC being the spectrum fees, and the sum of N350M paid to the Police for re-tuning and purchase of new communications equipment for the NP. On full payment of the said sums, OSL immediately, in conjunction with its technical partners, commenced action on building a nationwide 4G LTE network, which is a more efficient and viable platform for broadband services.
The erroneous report also alleged that OSL in cohort with some government officials plans to hijack the NSPCS network and then subject ?Nigeria?s security agencies into customers of a network that was originally built for them.? To use falsehood to sway the conscience of the public and the government from what is rather glaring is disrespectful and retrogressive to the fundamentals of an ongoing transformative process. Let the truth be made known: OSL, in a bid to create a win-win scenario for the Nigerian government on operationalization of the moribund (GOTA network) NSPCS project proposed the following to the Joint Ministerial Board set up by the office of the Vice President to solve the challenges of the ownership of the 450MHZ Band.
? OSL is to upgrade the (GOTA) NSPCS network to an LTE network in conjunction with its technical partners without further expenses by the FGN. The LTE network is a very recent technology that supports state of the art broadband deployment.
? The upgraded LTE network is to be split into two-Encrypted Security and Commercial Services. The Encrypted Security arm is to be managed by a team of qualified and trained personnel from security organizations in Nigeria. The aim is to provide encrypted and dedicated communications voice, video and data for the security agencies nationwide.
? The Commercial Service arm is to be managed by OSL team of professionals while the overall network is to be maintained by OSL for efficiency of services.
? OSL will assume the responsibility of paying back the EXIM facility obtained by the FGN from the proceeds of the commercial arm of the network.
The essence of the proposal was to create a shared opportunity for provision of a robust and frontline security network for the government and equally allowing the 4G LTE platform already deployed by OSL to work together, thereby allowing both networks to operate on the same frequency.
The 450MHz frequency is critical to the success of Nigeria?s ongoing fight against terrorism and OSL is well aware of it. OSL have devoted huge resources both in infrastructural components and in human resources so as to safeguard and make efficient the process of assembling pertinent communication services on an encrypted 4G LTE platform. Again, the LTE platform has been proven as being more robust and up to date as against an outdated GOTA network. The Nigerian Police is not being deprived of its frequency, as mischievously suggested by a few, and there is absolutely no potential interference or inherent threat stemming from such public-private partnership. OSL is resolute in its determination to offer the most efficient and secure telecommunications services to end users through its existing network. We are poised to not only providing excellent services to our teeming clients but also contributing our own quota in our common aspiration to fighting terrorism.
Source: OpenSkys Management
