… Temporarily Suspends Further Licence Approvals
Nigeria’s telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the suspension of further licencing of operators in three operational categories.
In a statement signed by the Commission’s Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the NCC noted that the decision to temporarily suspend further licencing in the three categories is to “enable the Commission to conduct a thorough review of several key areas within these categories, including the current level of competition, market saturation and current market dynamics.”
The three categories are:
- Interconnect Exchange Licence;
- Mobile Virtual Network Operator Licence; and
- Value Added Service Aggregator Licence.
The statement read: “In line with its powers under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 to grant and renew licences, promote fair competition and develop the Communications Industry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (the Commission) hereby informs all stakeholders of a temporary suspension on issuance of new licences in the following categories.
The public is invited to note that during the suspension period commencing on 17th of May, 2024, new application for the aforementioned licences will not be accepted. This is without prejudice to pending applications before the Commission which will be considered on their merits.”
The NCC further welcomed enquiries or clarifications in respect of the Suspension Notice, directing such concerns to the appropriate section of its website, ‘licensing@ncc.gov.ng’.
It will be recalled that the Commission has already licenced about 43 Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).
The MVNOs are meant to provide telecom services in unserved and underserved areas leveraging the infrastructure of existing mobile network operators (MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile).
With this, it is envisioned that the success of MVNOs rest heavily on the MNOs and their ability to innovate by offering unique Value-Added Services (VAS) that are not currently provided by the MNOs.
It would also be recalled that there had been issues around call masking attributed to interconnect exchange operators.
Call masking is the act of concealing or disguising international calls coming into a country and presenting them as local in order to make profits from the difference between local and international calls. Call masking technique is used by individuals or companies to keep personal phone numbers of businesses and individuals private.
