Telecom
FG Worries over Spate of Telecom Infrastructure Vandalism
Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has raised the alarm over activities of vandals on telecommunications infrastructure in the country, saying the ugly trend was responsible for the high cost of services charged subscribers by the operators.
Danbatta, who made the disclosure at a civil society round table on the digital economy, in Abuja, lamented that subscribers bear the consequences of vandals on facilities of network providers through a tariff on voice calls and data.
The round table on the digital economy with the theme, “maximizing the potential of digital entrepreneurship for youth empowerment and self-reliance”, was organised by Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG), and held at the Army Resource Centre, Abuja.
Danbatta also said fixed broadband infrastructure gaps, right of way issues, multiple regulation and taxation, forex scarcity, electricity and duplication of functions are the other challenges that contributed to the encumbrances bore by telecoms consumers.
Represented by Engr. A. K. Nwaulune, director, Digital Economy Department, the NCC boss said, the vandalisation of telecoms infrastructure create costs and those costs are going to be advance by consumers.
According to him, “The important thing that I want you to know is that the vandalization create costs, and those costs are going to be advanced by you.
“So you are just getting trouble for yourself by vandalism because you go and cut fibre and you can sell fibre because it’s stolen property, you’re not going to even sell it at the market value because it’s tokunbo that you are selling.
“And you’re creating trouble for others. So we want you to help us market the fact that the more you vandalize, the higher the cost, and the more the tariff more the charges that you pay.”
Speaking on the merits of the digital economy, Prof. Danbatta noted that “Economic diversification can greatly be achieved, just as its efforts at social prosperity and integration are clearly obvious.”
“Digital economy requires Home Grown innovative digital Skill, targeted to the peculiarities of the Nigerian Market and Populace and requires a Digitally Literate Citizenry who can take advantage of these innovative solutions”, he said.
He noted that “It requires the Digital Infrastructure on which the Training/Skills Acquisition will be provided, and on which the innovative solutions can be deployed.
“The Commission, as a coordinator for Digital Economy for the Communications Industry, continues to strive to ensure all necessary projects, approvals, regulatory amendments and Stakeholder collaboration required to achieve the goal, are carried out. “
On progress recorded in the sector, he said: “The Telecoms sector in Nigeria has witnessed significant and unprecedented growth as Nigeria currently has 187,805,237 mobile lines, and 98.39% teledensity.
“The telecoms Sector has enabled economic transformation in various sectors of Nigeria’s economy; Banking, HealthCare, Commerce, Education, Agriculture etc. The Digital Economy offers Nigeria the opportunity to grow and diversify its economy from the overdependence on oil & gas.”
He said: “Digital economy; Digital Economy refers to the full range of economic, social and cultural activities supported by the Internet and related emerging information and communications technologies.
Three components of the digital economy are Infrastructure, Innovative services and entrepreneurship products and Digital Skills”
Vitel Wireless, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), which recently made history as the first operator in Nigeria to be allocated a mobile number series by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to launch operations this quarter.
This is sequel to announcement by Wireless Technology Labs (WTL) that t has built the network of Vitel Wireless, and enabled overseas roaming, in preparation for Vitel’s launch.
Vitel Wireless, which is headquartered in Lagos, was licensed by the NCC in 2023 and will be the country’s first MVNO.
Its launch is set to shake up Nigeria’s telecoms market with Vitel offering an alternative to the services of the country’s four major operators—MTN, Airtel, Globacom and 9Mobile.
Vitel’s network will go live in Nigeria’s major cities first and then expand nationwide.
Pricing will be competitive for basic services like voice, SMS and data and Vitel will also focus on value added services like location-based services (LBS) and IOT.
Vitel Wireless is building Experience Centres in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kano and Nigeria’s other major cities where customers can purchase SIM cards.
In addition, Vitel is building a distributor network with SIM cards available through retail channels and online subscriptions using eSIMs.
WTL has already completed the integration of Vitel’s infrastructure with the network of a major MNO and has also enabled international roaming using its proprietary advanced core systems.
This means that Vitel will be able to launch as soon as the NCC approves its network and operational model.
Kenneth Nwabueze, CEO of Vitel Wireless, said “We are going to be offering innovative solutions beyond what the big four operators who have dominated Nigeria’s telecoms market are currently offering. We are investing heavily in our operations, and our work with WTL will enable us to launch in Q2, 2025”.
WTL, which is headquartered in Belgium, has been active in Nigeria and across Africa for more than 20 years working with operators of all sizes to rollout both urban and rural networks. Its work has garnered widespread recognition and industry awards.
WTL has already enabled the networks of two of the 46 new MVNOs licensed by the NCC, and recently announced that it is working with Nigeria’s first Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) which is constructing new mobile network infrastructure to provide capacity for emerging MVNOs through its Platform as a Service (PaaS) model.
Mr. Satya Mekala, CEO of WTL, said, “I congratulate The NCC for licensing new operators to improve competitiveness, increase rural coverage and drive the adoption of digital services including Fintech, Edtech, Agriculture, IOT and more. I further thank Vitel for giving us the opportunity to showcase our advanced core technologies and wish them great success in becoming the first ever MVNO in Nigeria”.
ipNX, Nigeria’s leading information and communications technology company and connectivity provider is collaborating with the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to explore opportunities for further growth and development policy alignment in support of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s broadband penetration and digital transformation agenda.
The company recently visited NCC at it Abuja office to strengthen the collaborative relationship between both institutions.
The delegation from ipNX, which was led by Ejovi Aror, group managing director, was received by Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman/chief executive officer, Nigeria Communications Commission.
During the visit, the discussions focused on the current state of internet access in Nigeria, the myriad of challenges being faced by service providers, including but not limited to vandalism of key infrastructure and right of way, as well as the regulatory landscape.
The engagement highlighted the shared vision of both institutions to bridge the digital divide and empower Nigerians through reliable and affordable internet connectivity.
As a leading player in Nigeria’s ICT sector, ipNX reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the realisation of the National Broadband Plan, which aims to achieve 70% broadband penetration this year.
With over two decades of pioneering innovation within the sector, the company has consistently demonstrated resilience across different economic cycles without compromising quality of service and affordable pricing.
Commenting on the visit, Aror, stated, “Our engagement with the Nigeria Communications Commission is a positive step towards shaping the future of telecommunications in Nigeria. At ipNX, we believe that active collaboration with regulators and other key stakeholders is critical to achieving the development targets outlined in the National Broadband Plan. We are proud to continue playing a pivotal role to drive broadband penetration and ensure that every Nigerian, irrespective of their location, has access to the transformative power of the internet.”
The meeting also emphasised the importance of policy alignment and regulatory frameworks that enable innovation, investment, and sustainable growth in the telecommunications sector.
As Nigeria continues to make strides in its digital transformation journey, ipNX stands ready to leverage its expertise, infrastructure, and partnerships to support the realisation of the government’s broadband penetration objectives.
The company remains dedicated to empowering individuals, businesses, and communities through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled connectivity solutions.
Truecaller, the popular caller identity app, announced that it surpassed 450 million users earlier this week, expanding it’s global reach.
The company added 50 million users in the past 10 months, including 15.5 million since the beginning of 2025.
Leadership Changes and Market Expansion
India remains Truecaller’s largest market, a factor reflected in the company’s recent leadership decision.
Following the decision of its co-founders to step back from daily operations last year, Truecaller appointed Rishit Jhunjhunwala, previously the Chief Product Officer and MD of India operations, as the new CEO.
While India continues to be a key market, Jhunjhunwala noted that the company is seeing rapid growth in other regions.
“We are proud that we now serve more than 450 million users globally. As before, we continue to see steady growth in our largest market, India, but the fastest relative growth is in markets outside of India.
“So far in 2025, we see strong growth trends in Latin America, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Malaysia, and the US,” Jhunjhunwala wrote in a blog post.
Regulatory Challenges in India
Despite its dominance in India, Truecaller faces potential challenges as the country’s telecom department pushes for mobile carriers to implement a government-backed caller ID system.
This move could introduce competition to Truecaller’s services in one of its most crucial markets.
Financial Performance and Market Position
Truecaller maintained an active user base of nearly 430 million throughout Q4 2024. The company reported strong financial results for the quarter ending in December, with:
Net sales increasing by 23% year-over-year
Profit after tax rising by 29%
Stock price up more than 33% year-to-date
Product Enhancements and AI Integration
Earlier this year, Truecaller improved its caller ID functionality for iOS, overcoming previous limitations imposed by Apple’s operating system.
The company has also been expanding its offerings beyond caller identification by introducing:
Call recording and transcription features
An AI-powered assistant for call screening
Enhancements to its SMS and chat functionalities
With these advancements, Truecaller aims to solidify its position as a comprehensive communication platform while navigating competitive and regulatory challenges.
Vitel Wireless, Nigeria’s First MVNO to Launch Operations This Quarter
FG Asks World Bank for Fresh $10.50m Loan to Enhance CBN Technical Capacity
CSO Seeks Stronger Data Protection in Justice System
ipNX Partners NCC to Deepen Broadband Penetration
Truecaller Surpasses 450m Users, Expands Global Reach
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