The Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission, has announced its readiness to partner with relevant and critical stakeholders as it will commence a review in the licensing operation to telecommunication companies.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made this known on Tuesday in Lagos State.
Maida spoke at the exaugural lecture/book launch of the immediate past Editor of The PUNCH, Dayo Oketola, held at the MUSON Center, Onikan, Lagos.
Maida, who was represented by Nnena Ukoha, Head Corporate Communications, NCC, disclosed that the review aimed at ensuring that the licensing regime is in tune with the international and global standards.
He stated: “The NCC is undertaking an holistic review of the licensing regime so that we will be in tune with the international and global standards.
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“As we are aware, the industry is highly evolving and highly dynamic and so should our licensing review.”
Furthermore, the commission’s helmsman pointed out that it has also helped to simplify data tariffs in a way that it will be suitable to the lifestyle of the people and as well pocket friendly.
He however clarified that the commission, unlike what the people perceived, has no hidden charges on their data tariffs, adding that a campaign had been launched to educate the people on such perception.
According to Maida, the NCC has also introduced a system for tracking stolen licensed certificates and mobile phones.
He appealed to members of the public to alert the commission or relevant authorities on any cases or acts of vandalism, which, according to him, is a major challenge facing the growth of the industry.
Contributing, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, said the issue of vandalism is a major challenge that needed to be addressed as it poses serious risk to the growth of the industry.
As a step to curtail the act, he disclosed that a gazette has been signed into law by President Bola Tinubu to punish offenders as vandalism is now seen as a criminal offence punishable by fines or jail term.
On the issue of tariff, Adebayo noted that the economic reality of the nation has made telecommunication operators “repair” their tariff in order to sustain their investments.
“The reality of not having a repaired tariff is that we will stand a risk of not being able to sustain our investors because we will not be able to attract the right investors if they are not sure that we would be able to return profits on their investment,” he stated.
Speaking on the issue of NIN and SIM linkage, Adebayo said: “I must remind everyone that the SIM records are secondary records that we hold while the primary record is the National identity Number and the NIMC is the only agency by law allowed to hold and manage the information.
“Therefore, we are required to export our records to NIMC to be able to hold a credible and reliable national database.
“Just two days ago, the NIN processing came to an end and numbers without linkage to their NIN are being disconnected.
“The benefits of having a reliable national identity system is actually the bedrock of the economy.
“I mean you don’t know the person at the other end of the communication transaction.
“So we are appealing to the public to please embrace the process and link their NIN to their SIM record for completeness on the National Database.”
