NCC Begins Review of Telecoms License Structure

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced review of existing licensing structure for telecoms operators.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, EVC, NCC

The Commission said the development was in response to global trends and the dynamics in the information and communication technology ecosystem.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman of NCC, has raised a Standing Committee to carry out the task.

Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, director of Public Affairs of the NCC, in a statement, said the review became necessary given that the current license structure is 20 years old.

The statement quoted Danbatta as saying that the review was necessary to address “wide range of technological advances, convergence of technologies and services which have characterized the global telecoms space over the years”.

He added the impact of such advancement is increasingly being experienced in Nigeria.

Danbatta said: “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.

“Therefore, it is evidently clear that this Standing Committee, drawn up from competent hands in various departments of the Commission, is perfectly suited and capable of addressing the enormous task of reviewing the existing license structure of telecom licensees in Nigeria.”

While noting the work of the Standing Committee will be carried out in phases, Danbatta said effective delivery of the Committee’s task will help the Commission to institute a process, which will culminate in the review of the terms and conditions of the various license categories.

These, he said, will include licensing fee, as well as identification of the limitations of the various license categories, with a view to clearly determining licenses that should be phased out or amended.

Mohammad Babajika, director, Licensing and Authorisation, NCC and chairman of the Committee, promised that the Committee would deliver on the terms of their assignment.