NCC Unveils Innovative Regulatory Strategies at GSMA Launch of Nigeria Digital Economy Report
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)has highlighted its Commission’s regulatory innovations aimed at shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), made the Commission’s plans known while delivering his address at the GSMA Launch of the Nigeria Digital Economy Report.
Speaking under the theme “Regulatory Innovations to Empowering Nigeria’s Digital Future,” Dr. Maida emphasized the key initiatives and advocacy efforts undertaken by the NCC to address long-term challenges in the telecommunications sector.
Dr. Maida said that the Commission has been advocating for the designation of Communications Infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure in order to enhance their protection, among others.
He pointed out that the NCC’s advocacy efforts have also given rise to six states waiving their Right of Way (ROW) charges, with Adamawa being the latest in the list of States.
EVC NCC revealed the ongoing discussion with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms to streamline the tax regime for the telecoms sector in a bid to tackle the multiple taxation issues.
Dr. Maida harped on the adoption of a Data-Centric approach to regulatory functions, stressing that this approach involves the development of a Data Collection Framework to gather insights on issues such as Quality of Service (QOS) and consumer complaints, analyzing performance data submitted by operators, which will make the NCC address the issues affecting Quality of Service.
According to him, the Commission’s data-centric approach has proven that Tower Sites using renewable energy solutions outpace those using fossil energy sources, thus enabling targeted interventions to boost the overall user experience.
Dr Maida affirmed that the NCC is undertaking a review of its Regulatory Instruments and licensing framework, stressing that this includes the review of Quality-of-Service Regulations to incorporate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for 5G as well as KPIs for Colocation Service Providers (TowerCos).
These regulatory measures, he said emphasizes the NCC’s commitment to promoting an enabling environment for digital innovation as well as ensuring the delivery of high-quality telecommunications services to all Nigerians.
He declared that NCC is committed to empower Nigeria’s digital future, driving inclusive growth and socio-economic development across the nation through its regulatory innovations and advocacy efforts by leveraging data insights and adopting forward-thinking regulatory frameworks.
