The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has agreed with major telecom operators on the Annual Operating Levy Regulations and the Frequency Spectrum (fees and pricing) Regulations ahead of the deployment of 5G network in Nigeria.
The agreement was reached on Thursday following a Public Inquiry organised by the NCC on the two key instruments at its headquarters in Abuja.
The agreed instruments are the Annual Operating Levy Regulations and the Frequency Spectrum (fees and pricing) Regulations.
The meeting was attended by Prof Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of NCC, and representatives of major telecoms companies such as Airtel Nigeria, MTN Nigeria, Glo Mobile Network, 9Mobile, and other stakeholders.
Though MTN Nigeria pleaded for extension of time frame, Airtel Nigeria on its part agreed with key issues regarding the instruments.
Danbatta has however assured all stakeholders that frequency spectrum would be assigned and managed in a way that ensures fair pricing and efficient deployment of attendant services.
He said the two instruments were not only tailored to meet the challenges of the industry but ensure that all stakeholders are carried along as the country prepares for deployment of 5G technology.
He said “More importantly, this Public Inquiry is precursor to the Commission’s current drive to ensure efficiency in spectrum management and the unveiling of next generation services through varied enablers.
“It is in that regard that the Commission issued a Spectrum Trading Guidelines in 2018, to ensure frequency spectrum is readily available to licensees through an effective process.
“Furthermore the Commission has commenced the process for deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) Technology in Nigeria and is driving the provision of such ubiquitous services on making Frequency Spectrum available to its licensees.
“The efficacy and reliability of these initiatives will be hinged on proper market valuation of the frequency spectrum and fair assessment of levies.”
