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NCC Extols VAS Contribution to Financial Inclusion

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The Nigerian communications commission on Thursday said that the geometric increase in the number of Value Added Service (VAS) in the country has contributed in promoting financial inclusion policy of the government and the creation of wealth for many Nigerians.

 

Engr Maska Ubale, Executive Commissioner Technical Services, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).stated this at the 1st Annual Nigeria Value Added Service Stakeholder’s Forum, held on Thursday, in Lagos.

 

Engr Ubale, who was represented by Engr Bako Wakil, Deputy Director, NCC, stated that the increase is a reflection of how creative, innovative and enterprising we have become in providing solutions to our everyday needs.

 

He noted VAS riding on the back of telecoms infrastructure have been able to make life simple by the provision of services like payment of utility bills, mobile payment, promoting of financial inclusion policy of the government.

 

He explained that the commission has allocated short codes to about two hundred and thirty three (233) VAS licenses for the provision of different VAS services and that this has immensely enhanced service delivery in the Nigerian telecom industry.

 

Ubale emphasized that one of the cardinal agenda of the commission’s 8-point agenda is the facilitation of strategic collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders in VAS ecosystem.

 

According to him, “The VAS stakeholder’s forum is one of the many laudable initiatives embarked by the commission to develop effective partnerships and collaboration with relevant stakeholders for sustainable ICT development and social advancement.

 

“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 regards that the technical standards and network integrity department under the supervision of the executive commissioner, technical services organized this stakeholder’s forum.”

 

He added that the forum will create more awareness, guide participants in understanding the social and economic importance of VAS as well as assist them to understand the importance of collaboration and partnership in the new telecom world where content is king.

 

During his presentation titled: ‘Concerns on the impact of VAS to consumers’ Efosa Idehen, Director, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, NCC said that VAS is an integral component of the Nigerian telecom ecosystem necessary for optimizing the benefits of telecom services to consumers.

 

He revealed that Nigerian VAS market is presently valued at about N79 billion ($220 million) adding that it’s estimated to grow to about $500 million by 2021.

 

He noted that the VAS market has impacted positively and negatively on the consumers but noting that the positives far outweighs the negatives.

 

“Like every services there are both positive and negative impacts of VAS on consumers but the positives far outweighs the negatives.

 

“The commission therefore deems it fit to find a balance between enabling the opportunities that the VAS providers offer to consumers while at the same time mitigating the challenges or inconvenience they could constitute to other consumers.

 

“Thus, while service providers are licensed by the commission and are allowed to operate and provide value added services to consumers, the consumers are empowered through the DND facility to choose whether to allow or block access to these services on a full or partial basis,” he added.

 

Idehen, also bemoan operators on the barrage of unsolicited messages and the fraudulent deduction of consumers credit for VAS not subscribed for.

 

He added that consumers would like to see concrete action by the operators on the spam messages, fraudulent bank alert, forceful subscription and the menace of bulk sms and unsolicited messages.

 

He explained that the commission has taken necessary steps in order to mitigate against VAS related consumer complaints, stressing that the introduction of Do-Not-Disturb (DND) Number 2442, which empowers consumers to block all unsolicited messages and VAS services as one of the steps taken by the commission.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Group Advocates for Digital Rights at 2024 Internet Governance Forum

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Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a leading pan-African organisation dedicated to advancing digital rights and inclusion in the Global South, has made significant contributions to the just-concluded 2024 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

PIN’s participation in the prestigious global event underscores the organisation’s commitment to fostering inclusive digital policies and ensuring that Africa’s voices are central in global discussions about the future of the internet.

During the week-long forum, PIN team members played key roles in numerous sessions, emphasising the importance of a digital rights perspective in the development of emerging technologies, advocating for a more inclusive digital future, and addressing the specific challenges the African continent faces in terms of digital access and inclusion.

PIN Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, spoke at high-profile sessions, including the Leadership Panel on ‘The Internet We Want’, which outlined the vision for a global internet that is accessible, secure, and inclusive.

At the Africa Youth IGF Parley, ‘Gbenga provided a platform for young Africans to address pressing issues such as internet restrictions, the digital divide, and digital rights violations.

Adeboye Adegoke, Senior Manager for Grants and Programmes Strategy at Paradigm Initiative, contributed to Open Forum #12, advocating for policies that ensure a rights-respecting and inclusive digital future. His discussions highlighted the importance of policies that place human rights at the core of technological advancements.

Ihueze Nwobilor, Senior Programmes Officer, spoke at the session, ‘A Rights-Respecting Approach to Emerging Tech Development,’ where he called for the prioritisation of human rights in the development and deployment of emerging technologies across Africa and beyond.

The organisation’s Senior Manager for Partnerships and Engagements, Thobekile Matimbe, shared valuable insights during the ‘Better Products and Policies Through Stakeholder Engagement’ session.

She emphasized the role of the private sector in engaging with local communities to ensure that digital products and policies are inclusive and meet the needs of vulnerable groups across Africa.

Bridgette Ndlovu, PIN Partnerships and Engagements Officer, moderated a session on ‘Implementation of the USF in 26 African Countries,’ where she and other speakers, including ‘Gbenga Sesan, discussed the crucial role of Universal Service Funds (USF) in advancing digital inclusion, particularly in underserved and rural areas.

PIN’s participation at IGF 2024 has been an important moment for advocating digital rights in Africa. “Paradigm Initiative’s participation was a powerful reminder that Africa’s digital future must be shaped by inclusive, rights-respecting policies.

“Our participation at the IGF is a continuous demonstration of the need for all stakeholders to collaborate in building a more inclusive and accessible internet for everyone, especially those in under-served communities,” PIN Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan stated.


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From Niche App to Global Giant: TikTok’s Controversial Journey

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TikTok’s rise from a niche video-sharing app to a global social media giant has sparked controversies worldwide, with concerns over its links to China and its influence on users and politics.

In Albania, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Saturday that TikTok would be banned for at least a year starting in 2025.

The decision follows a tragic incident in Tirana where a 14-year-old was killed and another injured in a fight stemming from an online confrontation. Rama described TikTok as the “thug of the neighborhood.”

In Romania, the European Union is investigating whether TikTok played a role in far-right candidate Calin Georgescu’s unexpected first-round presidential election victory.

The probe focuses on alleged Russian interference and claims of “preferential treatment” by TikTok. This marks the platform’s third EU investigation, potentially risking fines of up to six percent of its global revenue.

TikTok stated it has implemented “robust actions” to combat election misinformation, while Russia denies meddling.

In the United States, TikTok faces mounting pressure after the government passed a law in April requiring ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, to divest from the platform by January 2025.

The U.S. claims TikTok allows China access to American user data, a claim TikTok denies. ByteDance admitted its employees had accessed U.S. user data but insisted it does not share information with Chinese authorities.

TikTok could face a nationwide ban if ByteDance fails to comply, threatening its 170 million U.S. users.

Australia recently enacted a landmark law banning under-16s from accessing social media, including TikTok, with hefty fines of up to AU$50 million for noncompliance.

TikTok expressed disappointment, warning the law could push young users to less regulated parts of the internet.

In Europe, TikTok was forced to remove an engagement feature in its TikTok Lite version after EU regulators raised concerns about its addictive nature.

The feature rewarded users aged 18 and older with points redeemable for goods based on time spent on the app.

TikTok also faces criticism for its role in spreading hazardous challenges, some of which have reportedly led to child deaths, such as the blackout challenge.

Disinformation remains a significant issue, with a study by NewsGuard revealing that one-fifth of videos on topical subjects like the Russia-Ukraine war contained misleading or false information.

Despite these controversies, TikTok remains a dominant force in social media, attracting creators and influencers worldwide.

Its powerful algorithm and innovative features have secured its place at the forefront of digital engagement.

However, the platform continues to grapple with mounting scrutiny over its practices and societal impact.

TikTok’s meteoric rise has reshaped the social media landscape, cementing its status as a global powerhouse with over 1.04 billion monthly active users worldwide as of 2024.

This milestone, achieved in less than a decade, underscores TikTok’s unparalleled growth trajectory compared to platforms like Facebook and Instagram, which took significantly longer to reach similar heights.

In the United States alone, 170 million people actively use the app, contributing to its $16 billion U.S. revenue in 2023.

Globally, TikTok engages over a quarter of social media users and nearly one-fifth of internet users monthly, with U.S. adults spending an average of nearly an hour daily on the platform.

Its popularity is further evidenced by 137 million downloads in the first quarter of 2024.

Since its 2018 launch, TikTok has grown from 55 million users to over a billion, fueled by its dynamic algorithm and appeal across diverse demographics.


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NCC Holds Virtual Forum on A2P Licensing Framework

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has hosted a virtual stakeholders’ forum to discuss the draft Application-to-Person (A2P) licensing framework.

The event, held on December 20, aimed to address challenges in the international A2P messaging space in Nigeria, including consumer protection, fraud prevention and industry fairness.

Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman (EVC)/ceo, Nigerian Communications Commission who was represented by Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Ag. Head, Legal and Regulatory Services of NCC, said A2P messaging plays a vital role in today’s digital world.

“A2P messaging drives efficiency, enhances communication and supports socio-economic development.

“It has become the go-to platform for businesses to send notifications, whether transactional, promotional or service-related, directly to consumers,” Whyte said.

She emphasized the importance of effective regulation, stressing that the NCC’s strategic focus is centered on three key stakeholders: the government, consumers and the industry.

Whyte noted that the proposed framework seeks to foster innovation, ensure fair and transparent operations and protect consumers.

“The NCC firmly believes that effective regulation stems from inclusivity and collaboration.

“This forum is an opportunity for all of us – operators, aggregators, businesses, service providers and consumers – to engage in meaningful discussions,” she said.

The commission presented the various feedbacks received as inputs into the A2P Licensing Framework and gave NCC’s responses to each of the observations and recommendations made by the licensees.

Mrs. Truddy Tony-Awusaku, Assistant Director at the Licensing and Authorisation Department of the NCC, presented an overview of the framework for international A2P messaging in Nigeria.

The NCC assured stakeholders that it would continue to engage internal and external stakeholders ahead of the final draft of the A2P Messaging Services Licensing Framework.

The commission invited stakeholders to provide feedback and recommendations to refine the framework and create a sustainable A2P messaging ecosystem.


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