NCC To Start Regulatory Roundtable On Operators Of Telecom

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says will start a regulatory roundtable with stakeholders in the telecoms sector on how to move the sector forward.

Mr Nnamadi Nwokike, the Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy of NCC said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the ongoing Innovation Africa Digital Summit 2016 organised by Galaxy Backbone and Extensia UK.

Nwokike said that the roundtable would bring all regulators that have inter-dependent roles with NCC together to discuss how Nigerian regulatory growth would be created.

“Our objective is that overtime we should be able to create a group, Nigerian regulatory group.
“So that we can meet more regularly and meet in different committees to discuss the issue of spectrum regulations and other areas affecting the telecoms sector.

“We have to be conscious of the fact that no firm is too big to be regulated. We will meet our operators on this table and before any law or regulations, we will have extensive conversation on how things will be done.

Nwokike said that energy “is a problem and those controlling energy will be part of the roundtable discussion, it is an issue that cuts across the sector.’’

“NCC will start the conversation and it is our hope that we think in a way that we will all be interested in investment that can move our country forward.’’
Mr Mohammed Gimba, the Head of Public Sector, Main One said that for the country to make progress in the ICT sector, there must be drive and access to internet.
Gimba said that there must be a clear vision and strategies must be put in place to achieve progress in the sector.

Credit: NAN

Telecom Operators Solicit Ample Time To Normalize Irregular SIM Registration

Telecommunications operators have solicited that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) should allow subscribers a window of time to normalize irregular SIM registration, due to the hasty disconnection of some telecom subscribers with irregular SIM registration.

Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) said that his association has put forward representation to NCC for them to realize the need for this window of time being solicited for subscribers with SIM registration issues and is waiting the Commission’s response.

“We have written to the NCC on what we think should be the process for data collection and disconnection of subscribers. Now that we are faced with these problems, we will continue to deal with them. We referred to the issue NCC raised about invalid and improperly registered SIM cards which we have been directed as should not be activated on any network. We agreed; we have no objections whatsoever. We also agreed totally that all data we collect will be domiciled with the Commission. In essence, whatever data we collect from our subscriber with respect to their privacy, we will ship them to the Commission.

“We do have few concerns about the process and we have recommended as follows: That where SIM registration records are rejected, as a result of invalid records, we should be given a period of two weeks, to notify the subscriber before we disconnect. Because what we are told now is that when we gather the data and send to the central database, once they discover any missing item, NCC asks you to disconnect them. So, we are saying, give us a declaration on the data considered improperly done within the number of days. Give us that window of time to at least involve the subscriber and normalize the data. This is critical to avoid disconnecting the subscriber who may have come with good intentions to give his/her data. During that period, we will tell the person you cannot make call, but can only receive; so, we can call the subscriber to comply with the process. But, if within the window of time the subscriber fails to comply, then disconnect other services,” he stated.

Credit: DailyTimes

Between Gwandu, NCC And The Nigerian Project By Habib Gajam

The Telecommunications Industry is one of the core pillars of economic growth and development in the 21st century. Apart from generating multi-million dollars in government revenues, this industry also serves as the nerve centre for development across all sectors of the economy. Small and medium-sized businesses thrive better, manufacturing, banking, and even government transactions have been made easier with information and communication technology (ICT). It is therefore safe to conclude that the importance of this industry cannot be overemphasized.


In Nigeria, the Telecom sector has witnessed tremendous success in the last few years. With more than 120 million active mobile users in the country, It has currently contributed 9% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and has recorded about $32billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Thanks to the recent ‘rebasing’ of our economy which has earned us the position of becoming the largest economy on the African continent, surpassing South Africa.

Despite the successes recorded, the telecom industry in Nigeria has had its fair share of problems. Prominent among which is poor Quality of Service (QoS) from telecom operators. This is not unconnected to the lack of adequate power supply, dearth of infrastructure as well as theft and vandalization of telecommunications equipment. The issue of multiple taxation is also a wheel in the clog, Telecom operators are always at loggerheads with state, local governments, and other tax agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS). This lack of synergy has developed exploitative tendencies from part of the government. Challenges in procurement of Environmental Impact Assessment certifications, Right of Way issues, and Cyber Crimes also constitute major hiccups in efficient service delivery.

In the face of dwindling oil revenues (around $60/barrel) in the international market, the new administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under Muhammadu Buhari would have to consider diversifying from an Oil-reliant economy to an-all sector inclusion in its development agenda. Although Agriculture and Mining rank higher in the new governments’ priorities, a total overhaul and reform of the Telecommunications sector is of paramount importance. Experts in this sector need to be engaged to develop a robust telecommunication road map to address the  prevalent challenges bedeviling the sector. In view of President Muhammadu Buhari’s principles and ideology of governance and by extension the APC manifesto, the Nigerian Communications Commission  as the regulator of the Telecoms sector also needs to be overhauled for its optimal performance.To achieve this, people of proven vision, integrity, innovation, patriotism, altruism in service; and with decades-long experience  in the sector should be brought on board to steer the ship of this very important economic  nerve centre . One of such people is Dr Bashir Gwandu.

Dr Gwandu’s impeccable records of service and achievements, fearless and courageous posture, unblemished character, simplicity, unassuming humility; and most importantly, his unmatched academic credentials are what suit him to take the pilot seat in the affairs of the NCC.  Apart from numerous professional memberships and certifications from institutions and organizations of international repute, Dr Gwandu has five degrees to his credit including a PhD. A Bachelors Degree in Physics from Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto, an MSc, in Electronics/Renewable Energy from The University of Jos,  MSc, in Electronic/Electrical Engineering (Telecom & Power Electronic) and MBA from The University of Birmingham respectively, and a PhD, in Electronic/Electrical Engineering (Optical Communications) from Aston University.

His stint in the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has demonstrated his pedigree and capacity. These speak volume of his achievements in the telecoms sector. As the Executive Commissioner (Technical Services), he spearheaded various reforms to strengthen the efficiency of the sector. Prominent among which include the interconnect rate determination in 2006, which improved competition and set the pace for significant telecom tariff reduction in Nigeria, the management of the Nigerian Internet Exchange project for the ICT industry, the introduction of Tariff Comparison Platform for consumers in order to have choice, the re-classification of Sales and Installation Licenses to Class-Category which facilitated the entry of Small and Medium Companies into the market, the issuance of all 17 Unified-and other hundreds of licenses which increased competition, as well as the famous thorough investigation into the state of the Quality of Service (QoS) of the Nigerian telecom networks.  He also supervised Spectrum Planning Management, Quality of Service Monitoring and Network Optimization, Equipment Type-approval, Numbering Plan, Allocation, and Management. As soon as he rose to become the Acting Executive Vice Chairman, the seemingly tacit job of strategic management and positioning of the Commission became a walk over for him.

It takes guts and determination to introduce major reforms Nigeria. Unpleasant and painful decisions have to be taken, toes must be stepped on regardless of whose ox is gored. Mindless of the consequences and repercussions, Gwandu took on these challenges head on. His penchant  flair for due process and laid-down procedure put him on collusion course with the powers that be within the NCC and the Presidency. At a recent APC parley on its Policy Dialogue on Public Service Reforms, Gwandu gave an account of the ‘Dinosaurs’ (Similar to Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s ‘Vested Interests’) which he had to contend with in order to enforce the QoS on telecom companies. His illegal removal from office by the Jonathan Administration was the ultimate price of courage and patriotism he manifested in the NCC. In Nigeria, Victimization and witch-hunt from powers that be are the resultant effects for standing up against dinosaurs as we have seen in the case of Nasir Elrufai and Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. That has not changed the fate of these two brave men as the former now presides over the affairs of Kaduna State, while the latter sits on the exalted throne of the Kano Emirate.

With the new government’s commitment on capacity and integrity in building strong institutions to fulfill the Nigerian Project, it is another opportunity to engage the likes of Dr Bashir Gwandu to contribute their quota in waking up from the long-awaited dream of restoring Nigeria back to its rightful place as the giant  of Africa, and in the committee of Nations. I conclude by taking this opportunity to congratulate all Nigerians particularly rural dwellers who have made the so much desired change possible. To the new Administration of Muhammadu Buhari, I hope and pray that it is a new chapter in our political history which generations yet unborn  will benefit from. God Bless Nigeria!

habibgajam08@yahoo.com 

Twitter: @habibgajam
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