SPECTRUM OCCUPANCY MEASUREMENTS IN NIGERIA: RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
Mohammed Dikko · 2015
Cognitive radio paradigm has been identified as the solution to spectrum underutilization. It promises to change the face of spectrum management from planning, allocation and subsequently and most importantly utilization. The present command and control approach in allocating spectrum has been found to be ineffective. This inefficiency has lead to a perceived spectrum scarcity. Spectrum occupancy measurements have disputed this fact; through these measurements it has been found that the spectrum is actually underutilized. Thorough understanding of the allocated spectrum will go a long way towards the successful deployment of cognitive radio paradigm. Currently, several spectrum occupancy measurements have been performed all over the world to ascertain the true behaviour of the allocated spectrum. In this paper, a spectrum occupancy measurement performed in Nigeria is presented. This has become necessary because spectrum occupancy measurement performed in a certain location cannot be extended to other locations. From the results obtained, it has been found there is ample spectrum available. Correlation analyses performed also indicate that spectrum occupancy depends on both time and location. This work will go a long way in the deployment of cognitive radio technology in Nigeria.