NCC set to Implement New Interconnect Mobile Voice Termination Rates

 The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it will arrive at a decision on rates of (interconnect) Mobile Voice Termination Rates, after studying findings of a cost based study by the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC),

It would be noted that, NCC has reviewed the rates four times since the deregulation of the industry.

However, the consultant was commissioned to carry out the latest study in February, 2017.

Termination rates are charges which one telecommunications operator charges to another, for terminating calls on its network.

Prof Umar Garba Danbata, EVC/CEO of NCC, represented by Sunday Dare, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, told industry stakeholders who conveyed in Lagos on Thursday on the subject, interconnection is critical for the smooth operations and the growth of the telecom industry and there is the need to determine interconnection cost and this, based on international best practice.

This, he said, informed why the NCC commissioned PriceWaterhouseCooppers, to carry out a cost based study for the determination of Mobile Voice Termination Rates, the findings of which is being presented today.

Josephine Amuwa, Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, NCC, In her remarks, stated that once the findings of the consultants, PricewaterhouseCoopers, is known today, it will be subjected to review in line with NCC’s management in involving stakeholders in having a say in determining the way forward on issues critical to the sector.

She stated that, after the review, a new rate will take off on March 1, 2018.