NIGERIA Law and Practice Contributed by: Tiwalola Osazuwa, Peretimi Akinmodun, Lazarus Uwa Kalu and Mubaraq Popoola, ǼLEX
Act”), films distributed via these platforms needs to comply with the NFVCB Act. Procedure Application for a broadcasting licence Apply to the director general of the NBC specify - ing the type of licence (eg, free-to-air terrestrial television, FM radio) required. Submit an application along with the following: • a certificate of incorporation; • a comprehensive feasibility study and busi - ness plan for the proposed station; and • an undertaking to comply with the terms of the licence. Once approved, an applicant has to pay the pre - scribed licence fee and sign a licence agreement with the NBC. A broadcast licence is valid for a period of five years from the date of issuance. The operator must apply for renewal at least six months prior to the licence’s expiration. The fees for a broadcast licence in Nigeria vary based on the category of licence sought and the geographical coverage of the broadcast station. The fees are as follows. • Radio (Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Port Harcourt) NGN20 million. • Radio (other States) NGN15 million. • Terrestrial TV (Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Port Harcourt) NGN15 million. • Terrestrial TV (other States) NGN11,250,000. • Cable TV (Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Port Harcourt) NGN10 million. • Cable TV (all locations) NGN7.5 million. • Government-owned stations (all locations) NGN5 million.
• Direct Broadcast Satellite (Single Channel) (all locations) NGN10 million. • Direct Broadcast Satellite (Multi-Channel) (all locations) NGN25 million. 6. Telecommunications 6.1 Scope of Regulation and Pre- Marketing Requirements Technologies and Services Within the Scope of Local Telecommunications Rules The scope of Nigerian telecommunication laws Nigerian telecommunication laws regulate all telecommunication services and networks used in Nigeria. Services in this sense include applications services, content services, net - work services, network facilities services or any combination of these services that facilitate any communication in the form of sound, data, text, visual images, signals or any other form. This includes internet access services, telephone network services, fixed wireless services, Voice over Internet Protocols, satellite communica - tions and content provision services. Nigerian telecommunication laws also regulate the use of all equipment, systems and technolo - gies applied to communications including cus - tomer devices and equipment used for lawful interception of communication. Requirements for introducing a product or service into the Nigerian telecommunication market Every individual or corporate body that intends to introduce a product or service into the tel - ecommunication market must ensure that the relevant licence is sought and obtained from the NCC. The applicant must also be an incorporat - ed entity under Nigerian laws. Furthermore, the
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