The Nigeria Communications Commission NCC, has said it is currently reviewing the scope and structure of its existing licenses to make them more robust and to accommodate some of the new industry trends.
Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta disclosed this at the annual consultative forum with Licensees tagged “talk to the regulator”, in Bayelsa.
The forum, according to Danbatta creates opportunities for the Commission to interact with its licensees on industry issues with a view to gathering relevant information that would further advance the development of the industry.
The EVC further stressed that the ‘Talk-To-The Regulator` Forum is a common platform for non-discriminatory interaction on a one-on-one basis, between the Licensees and the Regulator on industry issues, pertinent to the Licensees and of national interest.
He however expressed hope that the forum would identify and proffer solutions to the measures necessary to improve investment, regulations and service delivery to telecom consumers.
In his welcome remarks, the Zonal Controller, NCC Port Harcourt Zonal Office, Venny Eze stated that the forum provides a veritable platform for interaction between the regulator and the licensees, on one hand, and other industry stakeholders, on the other hand.
According to Eze, the forum, would further educate the Licensees on topical issues of concern, which would help them comply to the licensing terms and conditions, in the various license categories.
” It is a rare occasion that would enable the Commission to identify the challenges confronting the industry from the pragmatic point of view of the industry players. In other words, licensees are expected to engage the regulator, through robust discussions, with a view to identifying the various challenges affecting their operations, while making suggestions, requiring regulatory interventions, within the mandate of the NCC.
“This event, is coming at the heels of the licensing of the 5G network, and the effort by stakeholders to ensure the availability, accessibility and affordability of telecommunications services to all Nigerians”, he noted.
The`Talk to the Regulator’ Forum is the second, in the series of the NCC’s engagement with licensees, in the South-South.
