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NCC Announces Jan 2010 Deadline for SIM Registration

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Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, EVC, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has stated that by next January, no Nigerian would carry phones that are not properly registered and the owner identified.
This is in the light of SIM card registration process initiated by the Commission at the request of security agencies in the country, which would commence soon.
Ndukwe, who disclosed this at the public hearing on SIM card registration in Abuja last week, requested the National Assembly to mandate the NCC to speed up the process as the Commission had already held wide industry consultations and consultative fora to look at all the issues involved in the process.
The NCC boss said the report of the industry wide committee, which made recommendations about the process of the registration, had already submitted its report to the NCC board upon which the board has approved the process.
He said the draft bill under consideration can become an amendment to the Communications Act, adding that the existing NCC law has substantial powers for it to implement the process with the support of the National Assembly. But majority of the members of the House Committee on Communications had insisted that the action of the Committee would still need the support of the House through proper legislation.
Ndukwe listed the lack of identity management system as a major huddle in the process but that arrangements have been reached with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to leverage and support the process of registration that would make it possible for the registration of SIM cards to be implemented even in the rural areas.
All the operators at the public hearing submitted to the Committee that they preferred the registration process to be implemented through the regulation of the NCC, rather than a new set of laws to be enacted by the National Assembly as the law making process may not be very sensitive to time and technical requirements of such a registration process.
The operators detailed the series of consultations that have gone on in the industry since the NCC hosted consultative forum, with the participation of security agencies and other relevant bodies such as the National NIMC and similar agencies.
Hon. Dave Salako, chairman of the House Committee on Communications, stated that it was only 3 days to the public hearing that the Committee was informed of the level of work already done by the NCC in this regard but said there is need for the parliament to play its role. “The regulator had taken this battle up. The Commission has started it but it does not make laws. The law makers will make the laws to support the process.”
Sponsor of the Bill, Hon. Akeem Arole Fancy, said non registration of SIM cards constitutes a threat to national security, adding that the NCC needs the mandate of the House; while commending the Commission and Engr. Ndukwe for the great job in contributing to the Nigerian economy through efficient regulation of the industry.
“To us, this is one of the best regulators in this country. The NCC can continue with its process of registration that it has started but we need to strengthen them by either an amendment to the existing law or a different law, as this process is cumbersome and may require the backing of the law,” he stated.
Hon. Jerry Manwe, former chairman of the House Committee on Communications, warned that the position of the NCC should be well understood because there are ways that the matter would be handled and it would scare the investors.

 


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TD Africa Empowers Nigerians with Sustainable Energy Solutions

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TD Africa, a leading technology distribution company in Africa, has unveiled its Green Hero Initiative, a groundbreaking program designed to tackle Nigeria’s persistent energy challenges and promote the adoption of sustainable energy solutions.

This initiative underscores TD Africa’s commitment to advancing cleaner, more affordable energy alternatives for Nigerian households and businesses.

As the cost of fossil fuels continues to rise, the urgency for a shift to renewable energy has never been more apparent. Recognizing this need, TD Africa has partnered with global industry leaders Huawei and EcoFlow to introduce innovative renewable energy solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of Nigerian consumers.

“The Green Hero Initiative is more than just a product launch; it’s a commitment to a sustainable future,” said Chidiebere Nwabuko, Business Manager, Renewable Energy Solutions at TD Africa. “We’re empowering Nigerians to take control of their energy needs, reduce their carbon footprint, and enjoy the benefits of reliable, clean power.

“By partnering with global leaders like Huawei and EcoFlow, we’re bringing cutting-edge technology to the market that is not only affordable but also tailored to the specific needs of our customers and Nigerians across the country.”

Through the Green Hero Initiative, TD Africa is offering a variety of renewable energy solutions that cater to diverse energy needs. These solutions include the powerful Huawei ISite Power M, ideal for powering homes and small businesses, and Huawei ISite Power S, designed for commercial and industrial applications.

Additionally, EcoFlow’s portable power stations are made up of the River series and Delta series that attend to the needs of low and mid-range Nigerians and provide a convenient and clean energy source for residential homes, small and medium businesses and outdoor activities or backup power.

By promoting the adoption of renewable energy, TD Africa is committed to significantly reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for Nigeria. The company’s Green Hero Initiative is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

To ensure accessibility, TD Africa has made these solutions available through various online platforms. Consumers can conveniently shop for these products at justownitapp.com or KongaPlus via konga.com. Authorized partners of TD Africa can also access the range of offerings through the TD SuperApp at superapp.tdafrica.com.

 


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Call, Data Tariffs Will Increase – Nigerian Minister, Tijani Declares

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Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has announced that telecom tariffs in Nigeria will soon increase, but not by the 100 percent proposed by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

Following a stakeholders’ meeting with the MNOs in Abuja on Wednesday, Tijani confirmed that consultations and engagements are ongoing, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will soon approve and announce the new tariffs to the public.

“You have seen over the past weeks that there has been agitation from some of these companies to increase tariffs. They are requesting for 100 percent tariff increase. But it will not be by 100 percent; the NCC will soon come up with a clear directive on how we will go about it. We want to strike the balance as a government, to protect our people, but also protect and ensure that these companies can continue to invest significantly,” Tijani said.

He emphasized the importance of regulating the telecommunications sector to ensure its growth and sustainability. Tijani also stated that the Federal Government would no longer leave infrastructure investments solely to private companies, as they tend to invest only where they can see short- to medium-term returns.

“We will not want this conversation to just be about tariff increase. What the world is talking about today is meaningful connectivity, people want to have access to quality service. A part of it that the consumers may not be aware of is the investment that needs to go into the infrastructure that is used to deliver these services,” he added.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, explained that the stakeholder meeting was focused on ensuring the sustainability of the industry. He confirmed that a 100 percent tariff increase was unlikely and that ongoing discussions would determine the final percentage, with an official announcement expected within a week or two.

“I know that Nigerians are agitated to hear the exact percentage approved. There is still some stakeholder engagements that we are going through, but you will hear from us within a week or two,” Maida said.

He also mentioned that the NCC had implemented several tools and instruments to ensure compliance with service quality standards and urged MNOs to adopt simpler pricing models to help consumers better understand charges.

“We are moving away from the regime where you will have a main rate, then you will now have a bonus which is at a different rate. It makes it often complicated and difficult for Nigerians to actually understand what they are being charged for. There is this agitation that the MNOs are stealing our data,” he added.

The CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, represented by Airtel’s media spokesperson Femi Adeniran, defended the proposed tariff adjustments, citing rising operational and capital costs.

“The economic realities of rising operational and capital costs necessitated the proposed tariff adjustments. This is aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector while unlocking significant benefits for Nigerian consumers,” Balsingh stated.

 


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Banigbe, 9Mobile CEO Emphasizes the Need for Significant Investment in Infrastructure to Ensure Quality of Service

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Obafemi Banigbe, 9mobile CEO, has added his voice to the ongoing discussion on the proposed tariff hike, highlighting the telecom industry’s critical role in Nigeria’s economic growth.

He said “The telecom industry is a critical enabler of economic growth, but we are facing unprecedented challenges. We must find a balance between affordability and sustainability to ensure the industry remains viable and continues to provide quality services to Nigerians. The current situation has not achieved that balance, which is why we are having this conversation about sustainability,”

According to him, the industry is facing significant challenges, including macroeconomic headwinds, rising operational costs, and declining profitability. He emphasized that these challenges threaten the industry’s sustainability and ability to invest in infrastructure and quality of service.

“As you can imagine, both our capital and operational costs have risen dramatically, mainly because many of these costs are denominated in foreign currency or indexed to it, while our revenues are in local currency.

For instance, the Naira, which was previously around 400 to 450, has now officially surpassed 1,500—representing a nearly 350% increase in just the past two years.

This foreign exchange devaluation has caused our costs to surge. Even though the industry is seeing growth in top-line revenue, the increase in local currency revenue has not kept pace with the rising cost base,” he explained.

Banigbe’s comments come as the telecom industry continues to navigate the complexities of the proposed tariff hike. While some stakeholders have expressed concerns about the potential impact on consumers, others have argued that the hike is necessary to ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability. The telco chief said that if the sector does not remain viable, customers will not receive the services they expect.

Drawing from 9mobile’s experience, he pointed out that a lack of investment in recent years has led to a decline in service quality, causing customers to switch to competitors that offer better quality.

He stressed that this situation poses a significant threat to the industry’s sustainability.

“What we are saying is that every business must generate enough revenue to cover its costs and allow for reinvestment into the business. If we fail to generate sufficient revenue, we will have no choice but to borrow, either from shareholders or the capital market.

“Over the past two years, this is what many of us have been forced to do. However, this is not sustainable in the long term, as it will eventually become impossible to continue borrowing without a clear plan for repayment.”


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