NCC unveils key instruments for improved regulation, begins deployment of 5G in Nigeria

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched two key instruments; the Annual Operating Regulations and the Frequency Spectrum Regulations all geared towards ensuring that all licenses are properly assessed towards regulatory expectations and standards.

According to NCC, licensing fees, levies and pricing fall under the Frequency Spectrum Regulations.

This is also the commission announced that it has formally commenced the process for deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) Technology in the country.

These were disclosed by the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, Professor Umar Danbatta during the Public Inquiry on the two regulatory instruments draft launched in Abuja, Thursday.

It would be recalled that NCC had earlier July, disclosed that it raked in over N150 billion from spectrum license fees within the first 5 months of this year, an amount exceeding its N36 billion revenue projection for 2021.

The figure also represents over 400 per cent increase in budgeted revenue performance with respect to spectrum fees generated by the commission between January 1 and May 31, 2021.

­Danbatta noted that the two key regulatory instruments, which were tailored to meet the challenges and to further strengthen the market structure of the industry are the Annual Operating Regulations and the Frequency Spectrum Regulations, which fees and pricing fall under.

“The first instrument will bring the regulations in line with current realities and sustain the enviable contributions of the communications sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

 “The second instrument is a vehicle that enables the commission to meet its role and exclusive mandate in Section 121 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 by assigning this scarce national resource in an equitable manner.

“The regulations also ensure that frequency spectrum are assigned and managed in a way that ensures fair pricing and efficient deployment of attendant services.

 “The public inquiry is precursor to the commission’s current drive to ensure efficiency in spectrum management and unveiling of next generation services through varied enablers,” he added.

On the 5G deployment in the country, Danbatta maintained that the Commission has met all the necessary procedures while waiting for the Federal Government to give final approval to roll out the 5G services.

He explained that the roll out followed series of pre-trial roll exercise earlier carried out by MTN networks. He informed the audience that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has given approval for Airtel networks to conduct pre-trial roll exercise as well.

According to him, since the three frequency bands required for 5G coverage had been assigned for the deployment, Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind by some other countries that have rolled out the services in line with the dynamics in the sector and demand for emerging technologies across the globe.

“We must be prepared on both ends of the industry to push the country forward for these remarkable changes, while the licences continue to invest in deployment.

“The Commission will sustain its drive by ensuring regulatory efficiency and excellence,” he said.

He urged stakeholders at the hearing to ensure inclusive contribution and raise issues that would assist the Commission in developing and issuing regulatory instruments that will enable the NCC to contribute to the development of telecoms in Nigeria.

Director, Legal and Regulatory Services of the Commission, Ms Josephine Amuwa, said the Annual Operating Levy Regulations review will look at the current licensing structure and ensure that all the spectra of licensees will be properly covered.

 “On the other hand, the review of the second regulation, the Frequency Spectrum (Fees and Pricing) Regulations is expected to provide more guidelines on the parameter for determination of proper fees and pricing of spectrum,” she said.