The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, says it will soon introduce registration fees on type approved telecommunications devices and short codes.
It stated this despite the 5% excise duty to be paid by Nigerians for telecommunication services.
In a presentation at a 3day Public Inquiry on five Regulatory Instructions by the NCC in Abuja, by the Principal Manager, Technical Standards and Networks Integrity Department, Nwanze Onyeye said “the Commission will be introducing it because that was not included in the regulation. The registration for type approved Telecom devices and short codes is free for now.”
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Professor Umar Danbatta, said the review became necessary due to current realities in the industry.
Professor Danbatta said; “It is important at this juncture to state that all five regulatory instruments are existing instruments which are being amended to reflect current realities.”
He said; “The regulatory instruments being reviewed cut across all sectors and segments of the telecommunications industry.
“The first instrument, the Type Approval Regulations, provide a framework for the approval of communications equipment for connection to communications networks in Nigeria, pursuant to sections 130 to 134 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
“The second instrument, Guidelines on Short Code Operation in Nigeria, is intended to prescribe a standard of practice for providers of short code services and to provide a revised framework for the provision of these services and for the protection against misuse.
“The third instrument, being the Guidelines on Technical Specifications for the Deployment of Communications Infrastructure, provides standards to be adhered to by Communications services providers/operators, designers, fabricators and installers of Communications towers and laying of fibre optic cables towards ensuring environmental safety and sound engineering practices.”
Professor Danbatta explained that “the fourth instrument, which is the Guidelines on Advertisements and Promotions, provides minimum requirements and standards for promotional advertisements by licensed telecommunications operators in Nigeria.
” The fifth instrument, which is the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations, amongst other things, sets rules for consumer protection and prescribes the procedures to be followed by a Licensee in preparing approved consumer codes of practice, by section 106 of the Act.
“It is pertinent to add that the Commission has also introduced Business Rules for Type Approval to address issues that cannot be catered for in the Regulations and ensure that the Type Approval process is seamless.”
According to the NCC Boss, this drive has resulted in the Broadband penetration in Nigeria being increased by 91.70 percent in the last four years.
The Commission’s data shows that in April 2021, 77,605,500 million Nigerians were connected to the Internet.
Expectations
Professor Danbatta said they expect that this review would improve the standards and procedures for Type Approvals, Operation of Short Codes and advertisements, and Promotions. They also hope it would ensure a more robust framework for the deployment of Communications Infrastructure and guarantee that the procedures to be followed by a Licensee in preparing approved consumer codes of practice are in tandem with current realities.
The Head, Telecoms Laws and Regulation Unit, NCC, Ms. Helen Obi, said that “Public Inquiry is an avenue that allows the Commission to incorporate the comments and suggestions of industry stakeholders, in the development of its regulatory instruments.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
