Alton Seeks Early Resolution of Botched 2.3GHz Auction

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators in Nigeria (Alton), has called on Ministry of Information and Communications and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to try and resolve the on-going face-off in the licensing of 2.3GHZ spectrum as early as possible.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Alton, said that the continued escalation of the differences between the NCC and The Ministry is already resonating in the global telecommunications investment community. This he said urgently behooves the Federal Government to immediately step into the matter and arrest the on-going rife through methods and procedures that demonstrate commitment to due process.
He noted that early resolution of the problem would be perceived in the international investment community as reinforcing the commitment of the Nigerian Government to global regulatory best practice.
“Government’s continued delay in resolving the matter would only create ominous restiveness in the investment community. The consequence may obviate the progress already achieved in the sector in the last few years and cripple the fundamentals of Government’s telecommunications policy objectives.
Adebayo retreated that the independence and stability of the Regulatory function is a prerequisite for the evolution and sustainable development of the telecommunications industry. “Global best practice in developed and emerging markets advocates the separation of the regulatory function and oversight from Government functions, which seek to protect the modern day Regulator from interferences, and this has been reduced into statute in Nigeria by the provisions of the Nigeria Communications Act 2003,” he said.
According to him, the independence and stability of the Regulator is a potent ingredient for attracting requisite foreign direct investment (FDI) from major players, financial and technical, the world over. These players, understandably, consider the protection of their investment from wanton changes in governments or policies and administration as a condition precedent for investment.
“They continue to seek comfort in regulatory consistency for additional and continued investment. Without them, there would not be any meaningful impact in any market, and the phenomenal growth so far recorded in the Nigerian telecommunication sector would not have been possible without this key element clearly encapsulated within the current framework,” he added.