Telecom
NCC Issues New Regulatory Framework on National Roaming services
The Nigerian Communications Commission has issued new regulatory guidelines on National Roaming services aimed at encouraging National Roaming between Roaming Providers and Roaming Seekers in the country.
The commission stated that the exercise is in line with the powers conferred upon it by Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
It further explained that the Guidelines are intended to give effect to the provisions of licences which permit the licensees to enter into agreements for the purpose of providing National Roaming
Services in Nigeria, subject to the prior approval of the Commission.
The commission further noted that the duration of any national roaming agreement must not exceed three years from the date of execution.
According to NCC, “The Commission reserves the right to permit parties to renew the National Roaming Agreement for another 3 years.
“Any further extension must be subjected to the approval of the Commission,” the statement stated.
These guidelines are intended to give effect to the provisions of licences which permit the licensees to enter into agreements for the purpose of providing National Roaming services in Nigeria, subject to the prior approval of the Commission.
The guidelines according to the commission, shall apply to only the holders of licenses validly issued by the Commission which contain condition that makes the holder eligible to enter into a national roaming service agreement.
On the scopes of the guidelines, the commission said that the national roaming services shall be provided within the geographical boundaries of Nigeria.
In addition, the regulatory body advised potential providers to fully read the guideline in conjunction with the Act, “the Collocation Guidelines, Interconnection Regulations, Quality of Service Regulations, Competition Practices Regulations, other subsidiary legislations that may be issued by the Commission from time to time, and relevant Licence Conditions.“
On the legal provisions, it insisted that the procedure for national roaming entails that dully authorized service providers shall request and negotiate NRA with each other on bi-lateral and non-discriminatory terms.
The statement further stated that “A Roaming Seeker requesting for National Roaming services shall forward a duly completed Roaming Request Form A contained under Schedule 1 of the guidelines to the Roaming Provider”.
Additionally, NCC assured: “(3) A Roaming Provider shall notify the Roaming Seeker of its approval or rejection of the Roaming Request in line with the procedure stated under Sub-paragraph (5) and (6) below.” While subsection (4) required that where the “Roaming Seeker receives no response from the Roaming Provider within 15 days of its request, the Roaming Seeker shall immediately notify the Commission in writing, and the Commission shall take necessary steps to ensure the Roaming Provider responds to the Roaming Request.”
Considerations for National Roaming Agreements
– The charges, terms and conditions for National Roaming services shall be through bilateral negotiations and in line with the provisions of these Guidelines.
-National Roaming Agreements shall take into consideration legal aspects of authentication, authorisation and billing of the Visiting or Roaming Subscriber so as Page | 7 not to compromise minimal safety standards such as location update procedures, financial security or warranty procedures in line with GSMA reference documents on roaming services as applicable to National Roaming.
– In addition to these Guidelines, the following existing Regulations and Guidelines shall be taken into consideration in drafting National
– Multiple National Roaming Agreements can be signed with different operators in the same or different clusters.
– Notwithstanding the above, the allowable number of Roaming partners on a Visited Network shall be determined by capacity and clusters.
– National Roaming services shall be provided under non-discriminatory terms, conditions and of a quality no less favourable than that provided by the Roaming Provider for its services or for services by its subsidiaries and other affiliates.
– Meeting the minimum network roll-out obligation as spelt out in a Service Provider’s Licence Condition is a pre-condition for entering into a National Roaming Agreement.
Telecom
Airtel to Redefine Customer Experience with State-of-the-Art Retail Store
Airtel Nigeria, as part its ongoing commitment to delivering a seamless and exceptional retail experience for its customers has launched its new Company-Owned-Company-Operated (COCO) retail store in Sangotedo, Lagos, on Friday, 24th January 2025.
The new retail store aligns with Airtel’s dedication to providing topnotch experience for its customers, offering end-to-end customer support, instant activation of new SIM cards, bill payments, data plan subscriptions, device purchases, and troubleshooting services.
Speaking during the launch, Femi Oshinlaja, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, reiterated Airtel’s commitment to delivering world-class service to its customers.
“At Airtel, our mission has always been to delight our customers by delivering unmatched satisfaction and we understand that connectivity is the lifeblood of modern business and everyday life. This is why we are passionate about ensuring that every customer’s journey with us is seamless, convenient, and rewarding,” he said.
“We are proud to be part of the Sangotedo community and excited to deepen our partnership with the people and businesses in this vibrant part of Lagos. This shop is a reflection of our belief that access to excellent telecommunications services should be within everyone’s reach,” he added.
The launch event was attended by senior Airtel executives and included a guided tour of the cutting-edge facility, showcasing the innovative features and personalized services that customers can now enjoy. Leveraging the latest retail technologies and best practices, the store sets a new benchmark for customer service excellence in the telecommunications industry.
In her closing remarks, Human Resources Director, Airtel Nigeria, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias emphasized Airtel’s goal in promoting quality customer service.
“At Airtel, we understand the importance of having a conducive environment for effective customer service and with the launch of this new shop, we have made provisions for 24 seats to accommodate everyone.
“Every customer who walks in is assured of receiving top notch quality customer care. We would continue to be the reason to imagine and look forward to achieving even greater milestones,” she said.
Airtel remains committed to enhancing its retail footprint across Nigeria, ensuring customers have convenient access to superior telecommunications services.
Telecom
Galaxy Backbone Celebrates Excellence and Innovation in Its People
Galaxy Backbone (GBB) proudly recognizes the outstanding efforts of its employees, whose dedication and innovation have significantly contributed to the organization’s success and recognition in recent times.
These achievements underscore GBB’s unwavering commitment to excellence in service delivery and pioneering technological solutions that advance Nigeria’s public sector.
The development, launch, and implementation of the GBB GovMail Email Platform in November 2024 by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, marked a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. GovMail provides Civil and Public servants across the public sector with a secure, efficient, and reliable platform for official communication.
By fostering seamless collaboration and ensuring the integrity of government data, GovMail directly supports the federal government’s vision for a digitally enabled public sector that prioritizes accountability and efficiency.
This groundbreaking initiative was driven by an exceptional teamwork, led by GBB’s, Head of Cloud Operations and supported by GBB’s team of Cloud Solution Specialists. Their innovation and “can-do spirit” embody GBB’s commitment to delivering cost-effective technology solutions that empower governance and enhance service delivery to citizens.
In recognition of their outstanding contributions, the team members were formerly recognized and commended by GBB’s Executive Management, led by the Managing Director/CEO, Professor Ibrahim A. Adeyanju. The expressed delight by the team’s spirit, commitment and dedication and encouraged other members of Staff to emulate their great work for GBB, the Public sector and the nation at large.
In a similar way, GBB also commended a member of its Datacentre Team for his exceptional skill and dedication in responding to a critical incident at the National Shared Services Centre (NSSC) in 2024. His swift actions safeguarded critical infrastructure, and ensured uninterrupted business continuity. These Individuals have in their unique ways, shown professionalism and technical expertise, which aligns with GBB’s core values.
These commendations highlight GBB’s dedication to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and recognition. Through initiatives like GovMail and the unwavering efforts of its talented workforce, GBB continues to lead the charge in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and strengthening governance through cutting-edge technologies.
Telecom
FG, WIOCC Partner to Deliver Internet to 3m Homes with $10m Investment
Federal government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) to provide internet facilities and services to three million Nigerian homes.
The project, backed by a $10 million initial investment from WIOCC, aims to enhance internet access in both urban and rural areas, bridging the digital divide and promoting inclusive development.
Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, signed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government, while Darren Bedford, WIOCC’s group chief development officer, signed on behalf of the company during the ceremony held in Abuja.
Tijani noted that the initiative would facilitate the connection of fiber optic cables to Nigerian homes, schools, hospitals, and public offices, enabling reliable internet services.
“The partnership will create opportunities for training Nigerians and supporting the local manufacturing of accessories such as batteries,” Tijani said.
The Minister said that widespread internet connectivity in Nigerian homes and offices would soon drive down the prices of data, calls, and SMS, as Nigerians would have alternative platforms for internet access across the country, beyond just their phones.
Tijani explained that the development is a key part of the current administration’s efforts to position Nigeria as a $1 trillion economy in the coming years, with both the government and private sector making aggressive investments in digital infrastructure.
He added that once completed, the project would provide Nigerians in cities with a minimum internet speed of 25Mbps for downloads at home, while those in rural areas would have at least 10Mbps download speeds in their homes.
According to him, “This company is already making significant investments in Nigeria, starting with their submarine cable investment. However, what’s even more important is that they are bringing something long overdue for our people – fiber-to-home connectivity.
“Imagine needing to use the internet – this is the global standard. You shouldn’t have to wait to use it on your phone. The ability to access top-quality, world-class service is only possible if you have that kind of connection. Our goal is to make this mainstream, so it’s not just available in a few high-end estates or parts of Lagos. They are committing to connecting around 3 million homes in the coming years.”
In his remarks, Darren Bedford, of WIOCC, said that the MoU signed with the Federal Government aimed to bring internet directly to homes, hospitals, schools, and other key establishments.
Bedford stated that the initial phase of the investment would cost his company approximately $10 million, with plans to expand coverage to more states, local governments, and institutions.
He highlighted that over 40,000 homes and several institutions have already been connected with fiber infrastructure for internet services. However, he acknowledged challenges, including Right of Way (RoW) issues and insecurity in certain states.
He emphasized the significant impact of the project, noting that most of Nigeria remains unconnected, with people and businesses relying on mobile internet rather than high-speed broadband. “This project is the first step in creating an environment where Nigerians can participate in the global digital economy,” he said.
With an initial target of connecting 3 million homes, Bedford explained that the goal is to set realistic expectations, allowing for reassessment during the rollout.
He suggested that the target could grow to 10 or even 30 million homes as the project progresses
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