The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NCC

  • NCC, Edo partner on connectivity

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Edo State government have reaffirmed commitment to work together to improve access to telecoms infrastructure and provide citizens of the state with  telecoms and information communications technology (ICT) facilities.

    This commitment was made during a meeting between the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the NCC, led by its Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Mr Sunday Dare at NCC headquarters, Abuja.

    Mr. Dare commended the forward-looking policies of the governor and assured him of NCC’s readiness to support the achievement of the ICT aspirations of the state through the deployment of fiber infrastructure under the Commission’s InfraCo project and interventions by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).

    He noted that the NCC is aggressively driving accessibility to telecoms networks at all nooks and crannies of the country. He however regretted that situation with multiple taxation and regulation in some states  is counter-productive for the states – this is because they end up losing substantial revenues and developmental opportunities which could have been stimulated with the presence of telecoms infrastructure.

    He assured the governor that NCC is keen to partner the state to achieve win-win solutions in the overall interests of the good people of Edo.

    In his remarks, Obaseki said the state government is focused on exploring non-oil resources and has therefore articulated developmental priorities. This focuses on creating a sense of order, security, safety and stability necessary to attract investments to develop the state.

    Since its developmental goals relies on the seamless availability of telecoms/ICT infrastructure, Edo State is passionate about the need to attract robust telecoms infrastructure to drive manufacturing, education and other socio-economic activities. As an example of the State’s forward-looking approach, the Governor noted that Edo State has always made provision for shared fiber ducts in its road projects and looks forward to engaging with NCC and operators to agree on fiber deployment projects and routes as necessary.

    During the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the USPF, Mr Ayuba Shuaibu confirmed that the USPF has evaluated and agreed to support the College of Education in Benin City and the Institute of Continuing Education in Abudu, Edo State with a grant to establish a computer laboratory and provide Optic Fiber Connectivity to the institutions.

     

     

     

  • NCC intervenes in 9mobile’s sale

    Telecoms industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has laid down rules of engagement that will ensure  the transparent sale of 9mobile and the sustenance of its business after sale.

    The regulator’s rules of engagement are contained in a letter addressed to the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele.  The NCC letter, according to Smile Communication,  was endorsed by NCC board Chairman, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye. It is in recognition of the fact that 9mobile is indebted to a consortium of banks that are regulated by the CBN.  Both NCC and CBN have been collaborating to ensure the successful sale of 9mobile.

    The letter identified three criteria that will guide the emergence of a preferred bidder for 9mobile.

    The first is “that whichever company would quality as successful bidder to take over 9mobile has (must have) the technical competence apart from financial capability to turn round 9mobile and not further compound its problems”.

    The second is “that the successful bidder should come in with substantial funds (foreign exchange) to sustain the industry not just recycling funds facilities already within the economy”.

    The third insists “that the company that will take over should have adequate technical infrastructure on ground”.

    have adequate technical infrastructure on ground” puts a question mark to the touted emergence of Teleology Holdings as the preferred bidder.

    Teleology Holdings, as a special purpose vehicle for the acquisition of 9mobile, has no apparent infrastructure on ground.  Unlike its rival Smile Telecoms Holdings, which operates in key Nigerian cities and was announced as the reserved bidder, Teleology Holdings is neither operational nor has experience, as a firm, in Nigeria.

  • NCC seeks stakeholders’ input on commercial satellite regulations

    The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has advocated for a robust input from critical stakeholders for the development of guidelines for Nigerian Satellite Communications market.

    He said there is need to fine-tune and update the guidelines and regulatory framework for commercial satellite communications in Nigeria in line with international best practices and standards to enable the country maximise the opportunities in the sector.

    He made the remark during a Public Inquiry on the Commercial Satellite Communications Guidelines and the Draft Consumer Code of Practice Regulations at the Headquarters of the NCC in Abuja.

    Represented by the Director, Spectrum Administration, Mr Austine Nwanlune, an engineer, Dambatta said: “The draft commercial satellite communications guidelines are aimed at creating a legal framework to regulate the provision and use of satellite communications services and networks, in whole or in part within Nigeria or on a ship or aircraft registered in Nigeria.

    “The intention behind the development of the guidelines is to ensure a well developed and organised satellite communications market in Nigeria with appropriate legal framework that meets international best practice, encourages innovation and guarantees public safety.

    “Furthermore, the guidelines will ensure effective management of scarce frequency resources, especially bands where frequency is shared between satellite and terrestrial systems.

    “It will also encourage the use of satellite connectivity to unserved areas that lack terrestrial transmission infrastructure backbone.

    “The draft consumer code of practice regulations which is an amendment of the previous regulations made in 2007 when finalised will provide a more robust framework for effective and efficient processes/procedures to be followed by licensees in developing their individual consumer code to govern the provision of services and other related consumer practices.

    “This is to ensure that consumers are adequately informed of the type of services being offered by operators, thereby aligning with the commission’s function of protecting the interest of consumers against unfair practices.”

  • NCC: Africa should bridge digital divide

    The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Prof. Umar Danbatta yesterday urged African countries participating in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference in Dubai later this year to present common proposals that would deepen investment in the telecom sector and reduce digital divide in the continent.

    He said this has become imperative considering the over-riding benefits especially as African countries would move from being a major consumser of technological products from other continents to a producer.

    The NCC chief made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the second African Preparatory Meeting for the Plenipotentiary Conference at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja.

    He said: “Nigeria sees the work of ITU as integral to the development of ICT in Africa and in tune with its focus of achieving ubiquitous Broadband deployment that will in turn lead to sustainable socio-economic development of its citizenry.

    “This we believe can only be achieved through continued and deepened partnerships of which the ITU provides the most ideal platform.

    “The importance of this gathering cannot be understated when considering the ITU Framework and Plenipotentiary process. This meeting will provide the necessary impetus for Africa to articulate various proposals and agree a common position.”

    “I will like to use this opportunity to thank the Government of Zimbabwe for hosting the first African Preparatory Meeting last year. This meeting sets the tone for our gathering here and I am confident that the deliberations that will take place in the next three days will further enhance Africa’s common position at PP-18.

    “It pleases me to note that Nigeria, beyond being your host, will be a very active participant at this meeting as we have submitted a number of proposals for your consideration.

    “The challenges posed by the development of new technologies cannot be over emphasised but we are all in agreement that the benefits far outstrip whatever risks we may face.

    “Nigeria has witnessed phenomenal growth in its ICT sector and acknowledges the support of the ITU in the country’s ICT evolution. Nigeria has been a long standing member of the ITU council and has always seen itself as a flag bearer for the interest of Africa and other developing Nations as a whole. To this end, and with your support we wish to continue the good work we have been doing over the past decades.

    “The presence of the ITU Secretary-General signifies the importance accorded to Africa within the ITU. We have traditionally always come together as one and this is where our power to influence the focus, initiatives and strategies of the ITU lies.  I trust this meeting will be no different.

    “Drawing from Africa’s participation at the World Telecommunications Development Conference held last year in Buenos Aires, Argentina and the outcomes of that conference, I urge us to harness our expertise and experiences and indeed to overcome our differences to put together and synthesise well-articulated and impactful common proposals that will ensure Africa’s participation at PP-18 produces the necessary strategies to ensure the digital divide in the continent is significantly reduced with Africa not just being a major consumer of technology but a producer as well.”

  • NCC: Digital transformation key to economic development

    The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar  Danbatta, has stressed the importance of digital transformation in acheiving economic development.

    Danbatta, who spoke at a panel session of the just concluded 2018 World Mobile Congress in Barcelona, Spain, however, urged the global policymakers in the telecoms industry to ensure not only renewed thinking in the development of policy frameworks but also promote innovation and investment in the sector.

    “In Nigeria, we are trying to digitally transform and the process is on-going as I am talking to you. Hence we’ve been paying attention to five interdependent elements of the digital transformation processes: enabling policies and institutions, human capital, applied ICT industry, communications infrastructure ICT applications and institutional change,” he said.

    Danbatta said the strategic vision plan he unveiled two years ago in form of 8-Point Agenda has so far made a significant impact on the growth of telecoms sector in Nigeria.

     

  • Call masking: NCC suspends licence, bars 750,000 lines

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday came down hard on some telecoms’ firms it found guilty of engaging in fraudulent practices.

    Specifically, the regulator accused the firms of call-masking, call-refiling and SIM-boxing.

    NCC’s Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, said the practice involves disguising international calls as local ones in order to profit from price differentials between international and local calls.

    He said apart from the resultant loss of revenue by service providers, the practice, in his words, “also has negative security implications.”

    Ojobo said following a painstaking investigation, which included collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS), the Commission imposed a range of sanctions on licensees involved in the fraudulent practice.

    These sanctions include the suspension of the Interconnect Clearinghouse Licence issued to Medallion Communications Limited for a period of 90 days, in the first instance; issuance of a strong warning to Interconnect Clearinghouse Nigeria Limited; disconnection of Information Connectivity Solutions Limited (ICSL) and Solid Interconnectivity Services Limited from all networks, until they regularise their operations.

    Others are issuance of warning letters to Exchange Telecoms Limited, NiconnX Limited and Breeze Micro Limited against engaging in the fraudulent practice; and barring of over 750,000 numbers assigned to several Private Network Links (PNL) and Local Exchange Operator (LEO) licensees, which number ranges were found to have been utilised for the practice.

    Ojobo said: “The sanctioned entities were found to be directly and indirectly complicit in several infractions, including covertly allowing organisations with expired licences to transit calls, failure to undertake due diligence on parties seeking to interconnect, deliberately turning a blind eye to masking infractions by interconnect partners and using a licence issued to another organisation to bring-in and terminate international calls which were masked as local calls to other operators.

    He said over 750,000 individual numbers across the nation, made up of about 31 number ranges, have been barred. The licensees whose numbers have been barred are: Vezeti Communications Services Limited, Voix Networks Limited, Mobitel Limited, Peace Global Satellite Communications Limited, ABG Communications Limited, Vodacom Business Africa (Nigeria) Limited, Swift Telephone Networks Limited and QVODA Telecoms Limited.

    Others are Wireless Telecoms Limited and Emcatel Networks Limited. The Commission found that some of these were terminating millions of minutes, whereas they only have very few active customers.

    Ojobo however said that the incidence of call masking has significantly reduced since it commenced a multi-faceted approach to address the menace.

  • NCC raids Lagos firms over network degradation

    NCC raids Lagos firms over network degradation

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday raided Ikoyi, Lagos to fish out firms whose installations have been degrading 9mobile’s services.

    Page Microfinance Bank, GMT Energy Resources, Club 57 and a property on No 61, Ademola Street, Ikoyi were identified as firms with equipment that were degrading 9mobile’s services.

    Of the four locations discovered, only the first three were tracked as the team could not access the premises of the fourth on No. 61, Ademola Street in Ikoyi.

    Its Head,  Enforcement Unit, Mr. Salisu Abdu, who led the team from Abuja, said after a thorough search, the team was able to localise the culprits causing the network interference to the four locations.

    He said: “We are in Lagos today in respect of a complaint we received from 9mobile in respect of a frequency interference they are having in their network. We have investigated the complaints and found that the interference signal was localised at four locations here in Lagos, particularly in Ikoyi area.

    “We got all the locations. They are four. Fortunately, we realised that they had all removed the equipment causing the interferences on 9mobile network following our initial notice earlier served them to desist from the use of GSM boosters to jam network.”

    Abdu explained that under the Nigerian Communication Act, 2003, it is illegal for any person or organisation to install any communications equipment capable of causing threats to service interoperability because such a practice degrades the quality of service.

    “This equipment called GSM boosters were installed and were being used illegally. What they actually do with GSM booster is to improve the quality of service in their own premises at the detriments of neighbouring residents.

    “So, what the equipment does is to extort services from other telecoms services users around and localise within the user’s premises.

    “While the use of GSM booster can be seen as an advantage to the user, it is a disadvantage to the neighbours. It is illegal to do that in accordance with the provision of the telecoms laws and they have removed all the equipment.”

    Abdu said the NCC team confiscated the GSM booster found with Page Microfinance Bank just as it found that GMT Energy Resources and Club 57 not only removed the equipment before the team came but had also returned the equipment to their vendors.

    While stressing that the enforcement team also, during the clampdown, discovered the people who are selling the equipment illegally in the country. “The next phase of our enforcement activities, therefore, is to visit the vendors who are illegally selling the equipment without our own permission,” he said.

    Abdu used the opportunity to warn organisations and individuals using illegal installation sin the country to desist, threatening that for those not desisting from act, the long arm of the law will catch up with them.

    He promised the resolve of the Commission to consistent carries out enforcement activities toward ensuring that the right thing is done in the country with a view to ensure effective growth of the nation’s telecoms industry, saying that “observance of the country’s telecoms laws are an essential ingredient towards achieving the sustainability of the industry growth.”

  • NCC: Infracos key to infrastructure deployment

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, has said licensing infrastructure providers (Infracos) is a key step to ensure the deployment of the much needed infrastructure for the telecoms sector.

    Speaking at a panel session of the International Institute of Communications (IIC) and Regional Telecommunications and Media Forum in Singapore, Prof Danbatta said the Commission had to develop innovative solutions to fast-track infrastructure deployment with a view to deepening the nation’s broadband penetration.

    The board of the NCC had issued two additional Infraco licences to Zinox Technology Limited for the  Southeast, and Brinks Integrated Solutions Limited the Northeast, bringing the total number of Infracos licenced to four.

    The NCC chief, therefore, called for the development of human capital, which is in tune with the dynamism of the industry to achieve the desired balanced regulatory intervention.

    “Regulators must consider the idea of having in-house research and development (R&D) units that reach out and collaborate with researchers, academia in order to align and be abreast of technological innovations and trends,” he explained.

    Also, in a paper titled: Building Institutional Capacity and Human Capital: How A Regulator Builds Capacity  That Fits For Purpose In A Rapidly Moving Environment, Danbatta said the NCC would continue to ensure that its institutional structure remains pliable enough to tackle emerging technologies and exigencies of the telecommunications sector.

    He said the commission’s performance has attracted the recognition of numerous reputable institutions both locally and internationally, especially in the last two years.

    “In 2017, the Bureau for Public Service Reforms, Nigeria reviewed the Commission’s structure, processes and work culture, scored it a platinum category and recommended it a model for other public institutions in the country to emulate,” he added.

  • Durojaye: NCC’ll build research centre

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said it plans to convert one of its existing institutions in the country into research and development centre where the likes of Bill Gates would emerge someday.

    Its Board Chairman, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye who spoke yesterday on the sideline of the launch of a book titled: Dare To Be Different to mark his 85th birthday at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos, said the Commission is unhappy with the rate of youth unemployment in the country, adding that the establishment of the research and development centre will enable some of them to attain their full potential and put the country on the global map of innovators.

    He said the board and management already has a plan to implement.

    “Many Nigerian youths who are roaming the streets, graduates looking for jobs not knowing that they have more than the job they are looking for. So many of them have the ability of Bill Gates but they don’t know. We are planning to create an institution or turn one of our institutions to cater for research,” he said.

    According to him, he said the best brains among the youths would be selected through an aptitude test, assembled and given the opportunity to use their brains.

    “We will select the best of brains from them through an aptitude test, irrespective of where they come from, as far as they are from Nigeria, to come and study special programme to be done so that Nigeria can participate effectively in the current global digital revolution that is going on. Nigeria should be part of the race,” he said, adding that doing that will not only create jobs but put the country on the global map as one of the leading lights in the global telecoms industry.

    ernance.

    Represented former Defence Minister, Sen Demola Seriki, Asiwaju recalled the trivails of Sen Durojaye during the dark days of military rule, adding that he has done well and made the country proud. He said the life of Sen Durojaye is a trajectory for younger Nigerians to emulate.

    Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof Garba Dambatta described the board chair as a team player whose leadership style is commendable.

    According to him, his leadership style is exemplary, consultative and has built harmonious relationship with the management of the NCC

  • NCC approves two Infraco licences

    The board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued two additional Infrastructure Company (Infraco) licences pursuant to its drive to deepen broadband penetration in the country.

    The two new licencees are Zinox Technology Limited for Southeast and Brinks Integrated Solutions Limited for Northeast.

    With this approval, the number of Infracos licenced so far is now four.

    Over a year ago, MainOne Cable Company Limited had been licenced to provide services in Lagos while IHS got its licence to cover the Northcentral geopolitical zone including Abuja.

    The Infraco licences are based on the NCC’s Open Access Model (OAM) in line with the National Broadband Plan (NBP) of (2013 – 2018).

    By provisions of the NBP, Nigeria is expected to attain 30 percent broadband penetration by 2018.

    Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Tony Ojobo, said as part of the initiative to achieve this, NCC, as the driver of this process, has so far licenced a number of companies to stimulate broadband penetration.

    These include Bitflux Communications Limited (Bitflux) for 2.3 Ghz and MTN Nigeria for the 2.6 Ghz licences. Other licences are in the pipeline in this process. As at December, 2017, Nigeria had attained 22 per cent broadband penetration.

    With the licensing of four Infracos: MainOne Cable, IHS, Zinox Technology and Brinks Solutions, there are three more licencees waiting for approval to bring total number to seven. These are for Southsouth, Northwest and Southwest.