NCC set to review licence structure for telecoms operators

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has commenced a review of existing licence structure for telecoms operators in the country.

Ikechukwu Adinde, director of public affairs at NCC, announced this in a statement on Tuesday.

NCC explained that the development was prompted due to the wide range of technological advances, convergence of technologies and services which have characterised the global telecoms space over the years, and whose impact is increasingly being experienced in Nigeria.

Thus, it inaugurated an in-house standing committee to carry out the task which is expected to help the commission institute a process that will culminate in the review of the terms and conditions of the various licence categories.

Umar Danbatta, executive vice-chairman and chief executive officer of NCC, said this will include licence fee as well as identification of the limitations of the various licence categories with a view to clearly determining licences that should be phased out or amended.

“The current license structure is almost 20 years old, hence the need for an urgent review of the existing license pattern to reflect new licensing trends in line with international standards while providing opportunities for improved revenue for government,” Danbatta said.

Danbatta outlined the commission’s seven-point deliverables from the committee to include a comprehensive review/report on existing licences; report and recommendations on consultative fora; and report on recommended new licence undertakings.

Others are a report on recommended amendment to licence fees and durations, benchmarking of licence with similar jurisdictions, the impact of certain licences on other licence holders.

Also, the committee is expected to recommend solutions as well as develop updated regulatory framework for new and amended licences as the case may be; and a final report on the project with all recommendations.

NCC further said a draft framework for new and amended licences will follow the review and consultations of the in-house standing committee.