Telecommunications operators in Nigeria have thrown their weight behind the directive of the Federal Government to register Over-The-Top (OTT) service providers in the country.
Over the Top “OTT” is a type of communication channel provided on telecom services. It is part of the Quad Play of Broadbands, which refers to Telephony, Television, Internet and other Mobile Services.
The operators, however, said the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was the appropriate agency to undertake such licensing role, and not the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as directed by the government.
They argued that it was within the ambit of the NCC to issue licences to OTT service providers.
Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo agreed that “the licensing of OTT has to happen, but certainly not by NBC but NCC.”
“Indeed yes, Over the Top “OTT” is a layer on communication channels provided on telecom services: it’s part of the Quad Play of Broadbands, which refers to Telephony, Television, Internet and other Mobile Services.
”It is part of the convergence of telecommunications and broadcasting and the regulator of the base infrastructure should be responsible for licensing of the players which in this case and in our understanding is the Nigeria Communications Commission.”
The NBC had directed broadcasting stations to desist from patronising Twitter, a micro blogging social media platform.
Acting Director-General, NBC, Prof Armstrong Idachaba, said the order was pursuant to the suspension of the platform’s operation in the country over its persistent use for activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
Nation/Hauwa Abu
