Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has allocated Short Codes to over 200 (value added services) VAS licensees for the provision of different VAS services.
This is in its effort to enhanced service delivery in the ICT industry
According to Engr Bako Wakil, director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity at NCC, “As the ICT ecosystem is transforming daily, VAS content developers and providers will have to collaborate and partner with other stakeholders in the telecom ecosystem, this will drive the development and proliferation of applications that will meet the needs of consumers. It is in this regard that the Nigerian Communications Commission organised this Stakeholder’s Forum.”
He spoke in his opening remarks during the Commission’s meeting with the Wireless Applications Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN), and other relevant stakeholders in the industry at its first 1st Annual Nigeria Value Added Service Stakeholder’s Forum at the BWC Hotel in Lagos.
“As at today, the Commission has allocated Short Codes to over 200 VAS licenses for the provision of different VAS services and this has immensely enhanced service delivery in the VAS sector of the Nigerian ICT industry.” Wakil added.
Speaking on the achievement of VAS segment of the telecoms industry, he said it has made life easier and facilitated the creation of wealth for many Nigerians.
The NCC Director also called on VAS operators to collaborate for efficient and innovative services.
Wakil said: “This Forum is intended to create more awareness, guide participants in understanding the social and economic benefits of VAS, assist the different stakeholders in the value chain to understand the importance of collaboration and partnership in the new ICT world where content is king.
“The geometric increase in the number of VAS Licensees recorded by the Commission in the last few years is an indication of the growing interest in the VAS segment of the telecoms industry.
It is also a reflection of how creative, innovative and enterprising we have become considering that many applications which provide solutions to our everyday needs are now riding on the back of telecoms infrastructure as VAS services.
“For instances, you can now recharge your mobile phone line, pay utility bills, make mobile payments through VAS platforms. VAS has thus made life simpler, contributed in promoting the financial inclusion policy of the government and facilitated the creation of wealth for many Nigerians.” Wakil said
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Chijioke Eze, president of WASPAN, reiterated the role of VAS in the ICT industry.
VAS is as innovative applications that add value to the overall ecosystem and, noted that VAS will be the future of telecoms prosperity.
Eze stated that the VAS sub sector has experienced great challenges in terms of revenue sharing formula with the operators, whose infrastructure they depend on to deploy their services to their subscribers.