Expression of Interest at National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
Expression of Interest
(Prequalification to Bid for Broadcasting Signal Distribution Licence)
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EoI) TO BID FOR A BROADCASTING SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION LICENCE TO ROLL-OUT AND OPERATE A NATIONAL TELEVISION BROADCASTING SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA IN PREPARATION FOR TRANSITION FROM ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL BROADCASTING IN NIGERIA
1. The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is the regulatory authority for the broadcasting industry in Nigeria. The Commission is mandated by Section 2 (1) of Act No 38. of 1992 as amended by Act No 55. of 1999 to license, monitor, regulate and conduct research in broadcasting in Nigeria. The NBC is also responsible for managing the spectrum allocated by the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) for the broadcasting sector in Nigeria.
2. As part of its objective to ensure a smooth transition from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting in Nigeria by June 2015, and in line with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2006 Regional Agreement (GE06), the Federal Government of Nigeria established a Presidential Committee (DigiTeam) under the auspices of the NBC, to oversee the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting in Nigeria.
3. In its White Paper, the Government decided to award three (3) Broadcasting Signal Distribution Licences, one of which is to be reserved for the infrastructure entity that will mainly be carved out of the existing Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). A second licence is now to be awarded through a bidding process to stimulate competition in the broadcasting signal distribution market segment. The third licence will be issued at some time in the future based on market development. The licence awarded shall be for an initial period of fifteen (15) years renewable for another ten (10) years.
4. In this regard, the Commission wishes to invite Expression of Interest (EoI) from interested, suitably qualified, experienced and competent local and/or international entities to roll-out and operate a national broadcasting signal distribution network. The Licensee shall deploy digital terrestrial broadcasting system complying with ETSI EN 302 755 (DVB-T2), MPEG4 standards and formats or any other later standards or enhancements the Commission may specify for provision of digital terrestrial television (DTT) services.
5. The networks which are expected to cover the entire country, shall be operated on the principle of Open Access and shall be inter-operable with other licensed broadcasting signal distribution networks. The licensee shall be expected to provide signal distribution services to other duly licensed broadcasting service providers upon their request on an equitable, reasonable, non-preferential and non-discriminatory basis. The licensee shall be prohibited from providing broadcasting content services unless it establishes a separate entity that is duly licensed by the Commission.
6. In order to optimize the utilization of the existing broadcasting infrastructure, the Commission encourages existing broadcasters to join with others who may be interested to form a consortium to participate in this bid.
7. Bidders for the signal distribution licence shall be required to fulfill the
following conditions:
a. is not a religious organisation;
b. is not a political party;
c. must demonstrate ability to roll-out and operate the facility countrywide
within one year after grant of licence;
d. is not adjudged bankrupt or has entered into a composition or a scheme of
arrangement with creditors; and
e. is a company registered in Nigeria.
8. Expression of Interest from qualified companies must be accompanied by
copies of the following documents:
a. Company profile (company history, contacts, services, affiliation, etc)
b. Certificate of Incorporation;
c. Certified copy of Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association which must include broadcasting;
d. Details of experience in setting up broadcasting infrastructure or in similar jobs;
e. A proposed plan and schedule of implementation within one year of Award of licence;
f. A letter of reference from the Company’s Bankers.
9. Those companies/consortiums whose applications are successful will be invited to procure the bid documents from the NBC headquarters at a cost of Twenty Thousand Naira only (N20.000.00). There is no cost attached to the application for Expression of Interest.
10. Expression of Interest (EoI) should be forwarded in one sealed envelope marked at the top left corner and boldly written “NBC/288/VOLXXI/41 -Broadcasting Signal Distribution Licence in Nigeria” and hand delivered, posted by registered mail or sent by courier to reach the address below on or before Friday 11 April 2014 by 3:30pm. Opening of the Expression of Interest shall take place immediately after at the NBC Headquarters.
The Secretary
Tenders Board
National Broadcasting Commission
Plot 20, Ibrahim Taiwo Street,
(by Aso Villa) Asokoro, Abuja.
P.M.B 5747, Garki Abuja
For enquiries on issues pertaining to this EoI, write to the above contact or send an email to info@digiteam.gov.ng or fridayukwela@yahoo.com
11. The sealed envelope referred to above shall contain the original in one (1) envelope and clearly marked “ORIGINAL” and 4 copies, each of them clearly marked “COPY” in another envelope. In the event of any discrepancy between the original and the copies, the original shall prevail.
Additional Information
12. NBC shall reserve the right to verify the authenticity of claims made by bidders and to disqualify any bid based on false or unverifiable claim or information.
13. NBC shall not be liable for any expenses incurred by prospective buyers in preparing the Expression of Interest.
14. This advert serves as invitation to the representatives of the companies that are submitting EoI as well as any interested Non-governmental Organisation and members of the general public who may wish to witness the EoI opening exercise
15. The NBC reserves the right to inspector verify claims/information submitted as it deems necessary. Similarly, the Commission is not bound to shortlist any company and reserves the right to annul the bidding process when unforeseen and justifiable developments warrant such action, without incurring any liability and assigning reasons thereof.
16. That at any time the Commission discovers that the information submitted for pre-qualification is false, the Commission reserves the right to disqualify the company
National Broadcasting Commission
(Your right to quality broadcasting)
20 Ibrahim Taiwo Street, Asokoro District, Abuja, Nigeria
Tel: 09-7805730
DigiTeam Nigeria
