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Tag: NCC

  • BREAKING: Tinubu makes fresh appointments in NCC, others

    BREAKING: Tinubu makes fresh appointments in NCC, others

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the managements of three agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

    In a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Thursday in Abuja, the President approved the appointment of qualified Nigerians to serve in the three agencies.

    The management of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has Abraham Oshadami as Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Rimini Makama as Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management and Opeyemi Dele-Ajayi as President/CEO, Digital Bridge Institute.

    He said that the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) management has Abiodun Attah as Executive Director, Technical Services, Aisha Abdullahi as Executive Director, Finance & Administration and Jaiyeola Awokoya as Executive Director, Marketing & Business Development.

    Ngelale added that new management team for Galaxy Backbone Ltd.  are Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju as Managing Director/CEO and Mohammed Sani Ibrahim as Executive Director, Finance & Corporate Services.

    Others are Olusegun Olulade as Executive Director, Customer Centricity & Marketing and Olumbe Akinkugbe as Executive Director, Digital Exploration & Technical Services.

    ”With the reconstitution of the management teams in these agencies, President Tinubu anticipates that these seasoned professionals will deliver excellent service to elevate the impact of the digital economy sector on the socio-economic development of the nation.” he said.

  • NCC boss eyes dawn of 6G, 7G technologies

    NCC boss eyes dawn of 6G, 7G technologies

    The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) on Tuesday called for collaboration, innovation and proactive action to mitigate emerging risks ahead of 6G deployment.

    Dr Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, said this during a two-day Telecoms Industry Risk Management conference, held in Lagos with the theme, “Evolution and Future Risk Management in the Telecoms Industry: Harnessing Emerging Technologies and Trends.”

    Aminu, who was represented by Mr Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC said taking proactive measures ahead of the introduction of 6G would ensure seamless integration of the technology.

    He explained that to navigate this dynamic environment, the need for effective risk management was increasingly paramount.

    “Today, we stand at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, where emerging technologies and trends present both unprecedented opportunities and challenges.

    “While we discuss the current landscape of 5G networks, which boast of wider attack surface due to the increased number of connected devices and denser network infrastructure, it is imperative to even cast our gaze into the future.

    “We are witnessing the dawn of 6G technology, the next frontier in wireless communication.

    “With promises of even faster speeds, lower latency, and groundbreaking applications, 6G has the potential to revolutionise the way we experience connectivity,” Aminu said.

    He, however, said with this advancement came the responsibility to address new risks from cybersecurity threats.

    Aminu explained that the prospect of 7G technology also loomed on the horizon.

    “As we contemplate the possibilities, it is essential to acknowledge that with each generational leap, one faces not only technological advancements but also a fresh set of challenges.

    “Anticipating and managing risks associated with 6G and 7G will require collaboration, innovation and a proactive approach.

    “In addition to the evolution of connectivity, we must consider the implications of emerging technologies such as quantum technologies (computing, sensing, and communications), advanced artificial intelligence, and blockchain (distributed ledger) technologies.

    “These trends, when harnessed effectively, hold the potential to transform our industry positively. However, they also introduce complexities that demand careful consideration in our risk management strategies,” he noted.

    The NCC boss said the commission remained committed to fostering an environment that encouraged innovation while prioritising security and stability of the telecoms infrastructure.

    “As we navigate through 5G and the uncharted territory of the next generations of wireless technologies, collaborative efforts among regulators and industry players become even more crucial for sharing best practices and implementing robust risk management strategies.

    “We should, therefore, move beyond mere compliance and reactive measures, and instead, harness the power of these new technologies and trends to build a resilient and future-proof industry,” Aminu said.

    According to him, building a culture of risk awareness is paramount.

    He noted that as an industry, it was necessary to empower people with the knowledge and skills to proactively identify, report risks, embed security awareness and risk management practices in business processes.

    He added that emerging technologies such as AI should be leveraged to generate data-driven insights needed to predict, detect and respond to risks in real-time.

    Also, the Head of Corporate Planning, Strategies and  Risk Management, NCC, Mr Kelechi Nwankwo, said the fast-disruptive world of the telecoms industry had witnessed convergence of diverse technological advancements with the potential of reshaping the future.

    He, however, said with great opportunities came great risks, adding that it was the collective responsibility of stakeholders to address the risks and possibly safeguard the industry’s growth and sustainability.

  • Glo, MTN resolve interconnect debt dispute

    Glo, MTN resolve interconnect debt dispute

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says the interconnect debt dispute between MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Globacom Limited has been amicably resolved.

    NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr Reuben Muoka disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Muoka said in accordance with this resolution, the disconnection approval granted to MTN by NCC for the disconnection of Globacom had been withdrawn.

    According to him, following its initial Public Notice, the Commission with the aim of mitigating any potential disruptions to subscribers undertook further regulatory intervention, by mediating between the parties and facilitating the reconciliation process.

    “The Commission reiterates that strict adherence to the terms and conditions of licenses, particularly those delineated in interconnection agreements, is imperative for all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other licensees within the telecommunications industry.

    “In order to proactively address and prevent future instances of interconnect indebtedness within the industry, the Commission will be requesting relevant records and regular updates from MNOs.

    “The commission also want the MNOs to adopt a transparent approach towards industry indebtedness.

    “This statement serves as a reminder of the Commission’s commitment to fostering a stable and compliant telecommunications ecosystem in Nigeria.

  • FINAL WARNING! SIMs not linked to NIN will be deactivated month-end- NCC

    FINAL WARNING! SIMs not linked to NIN will be deactivated month-end- NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) warned that SIM cards that are yet to be linked to the National Identity Numbers (NIN) will be deactivated by the end of February.

    NCC Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Aminu Maida, disclosed this during a meeting with journalists.

    “By the end of this month, SIMs without NIN will no longer work,” Mr Maida said.

    The compulsory linkage began in December 2020 when the government directed telecommunication companies to block calls from unregistered and unlinked NINs.

    The policy was expected to help the authorities in fighting bandits and terrorists who kidnap and kill innocent people daily. Despite the extension of deadlines, many phone lines are yet to be linked.

    Mr Maida said “Pre-registered or illegally registered SIM has been a challenge for a long time. In 2021, there was a policy to link NIN with SIMs thinking that such will take care of the problem but people in the value chain lashed out on loopholes.”

    He added that the commission will hold telecom service providers accountable for service delivery to customers.

    “You are going to see a change in the way we make decisions; we are going to be very data-driven. All our decisions are going to be backed up by data as much as possible. We want to reduce subjectiveness and make the right decisions that will improve the industry.

    “We intend to hold our licensees accountable for all services. After all, the consumers pay for the services and they expect the service to be at a certain level or point so we will be holding our licensees accountable to ensure they deliver on their obligations to their licenses.

    “We need to put smiles back on the faces of consumers. NCC is clear on this; we need to protect the interests of consumers. They remain number one because that is where you extract values from. Yet, the interest of licensed operators will also be protected while we put eyes on their activities to see the level of compliance.” he said.

    He explained that the commission would focus more on the consumer, government and licensees and the industry.

    “The commission also will be driven by the recognition that we have primarily three critical stakeholders in the industry. These are the consumers of telecom services, the industry and the licensees. The topmost are the internet service providers (ISPs), submarine-landed cable companies, and all of the licensees of the commission and last but not least, the government,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Nigeria’s teledensity badly affected as telecom subscribers continue to grapple with linking SIM cards to NIN

    BREAKING: Nigeria’s teledensity badly affected as telecom subscribers continue to grapple with linking SIM cards to NIN

    As Nigerians continue to struggle with linking their SIM cards to their National Identification Number (NIN), the teledensity in Nigeria has recorded a major deadline.

    This is coming as telecommunications subscribers continue to express displeasure over the barring of their lines by telcos, despite having linked their NIN with their SIM cards.

    While the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given a possible reason why SIM cards already linked to NIN are being barred, teledensity in the country dropped from 115.63% to 102.30% last September.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports teledensity is an index prescribed by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for the measurement of telephone penetration in a population by a factor of one line per 100 individuals in the population.

    However, Nigeria witnessed a marginal growth in active voice and internet subscriptions as contained in the latest telecommunications statistical indicators released by the telecoms regulators.

    Meanwhile, the Commission said the latest telecommunications statistical indicators were adjusted to reflect the latest population growth figures and align with international best practices.

    According to a statement signed by Reuben Muoka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, the adjustment is reflected in the telecom industry statistical reports of September, October, and November 2023.

    Muoka disclosed that it was predicated upon the Nigerian Population Commission (NPC)’s projection of Nigeria’s population at 216,783,381, as of 2022, replacing the previously used 2017 projection of 190 million people.

    “With the consequential adjustment, which is in line with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s calculation of teledensity, the nation’s teledensity dropped from 115.63% to 102.30% in September, while Broadband penetration witnessed a similar drop from 45.47% to 40.85% in the same month.

    “However, the active voice subscription statistics witnessed a marginal growth from 220,361,186 to 221,769,883 as of September 2023. In addition, Internet subscriptions also enjoyed a marginal growth, from 159,034,717 in August 2023 to 160,171,757 in September 2023,” the statement reads.

    An analysis of the report shows that in October 2023 the industry experienced a 0.19% growth in active voice subscriptions while teledensity stood at 102.49% with Internet subscriptions increasing by 0.60% compared to September 2023.

    In November of the same year, the industry also experienced a 0.46% growth in active voice subscriptions. Teledensity stood at 102.97% with a 0.57% increase in Internet subscriptions when compared to October 2023.

    Muoka insisted that the adjustment by NCC is consistent with Section 89 Subsection 3(d) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (NCA 2003), in which the Commission is mandated to monitor and report on the state of the Nigerian telecommunications industry, provide statistical analysis and identify industry trends concerning services, tariffs, operators, technology, subscribers, and issues of competition.

    Commenting on the development, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, affirmed the nation’s telecom statistical adjustment process as an appropriate step to maintain the integrity of data about the Nigerian telecom industry as collected, collated, and published by the Commission.

    He noted that this will also ensure the accurate measurement of the Commission’s progress towards attaining increased broadband penetration rates, improved quality of service, and increased population coverage, among other targets set out in the Strategic Plan for the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.

    He also said such data provides information for both the International Telecommunications Union to which Nigeria belongs, and other development agencies as well as the operators, investors, multilateral agencies, and the public.

  • Why SIM cards linked with NIN are being barred – NCC

    Why SIM cards linked with NIN are being barred – NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given a possible reason why SIM cards already linked with National Identification Number (NIN) are being barred.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NCC’s Director of Compliance, Mr Efosa Idehen gave the reason at a recent media briefing held in Lagos State.

    According to Idehen, duplicated NINs are responsible for the new wave of complaints from subscribers who have had their SIMs barred despite linking them to them.

    He, however, linked the development to the activities of third-party agents who duplicate NINs for unsuspecting telecom subscribers.

    “On the issue of already registered SIMs and NIN, the issue is that some of those SIMs were registered with duplicated NINs.

    “When an audit of the system is carried out, actual owners of the NINs reclaim them.

    “We have a lot of things that people do within the industry, especially SIM-NIN linkage for money purposes.

    “Yes, people register their SIMs and try to link their NINs but the agents doing those registrations do a lot of damage.

    “We are seeing this and want to correct it. We want a situation where when people say they are the owners of their SIMs, there is no doubt,” the NCC official said.

    This comes from recent complaints by some subscribers that their lines had been barred by telcos despite linking their NINs with their SIM cards.

    The Director noted that the commission was committed to ensuring that SIMs could be traced directly to their owners.

    Also commenting on the commission’s effort to improve the integrity of mobile numbers, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Aminu Maida, stated, “We want to protect the integrity of our mobile numbers. When we don’t use it for a while, it has to be recycled and this exposes people to fraud.”

    To battle this fraud, the EVC noted that the NCC is set to roll out consequences to deter its growth.

    He said, “We want to create more awareness about this so that people can understand that there is a window during which if they do not use their line, it can be allocated to another person.

    “People are using mobile numbers for a lot of frauds today and this is because there is no consequence.

    “We are coming up with a regulation that will make sure there is a consequence for using your mobile for fraud.”

  • NCC sends strong warning to owners of SIM cards used for fraud

    NCC sends strong warning to owners of SIM cards used for fraud

    The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has said owners of SIM cards used for fraudulent activities would be made to face prosecution.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida made the disclosure during a special engagement with the media in Lagos on Thursday.

    The special media engagement was held to discuss Maida’s vision and strategy after spending 100 days in office.

    He noted that the commission would be stepping in, as a regulator, to see the common issues that consumers are complaining about and how to resolve such problems.

    “We are also going to see how we can improve the general security and integrity from the consumers’ perspective.

    “The commission plans to create a platform where consumers can verify whether lines they have not used for a long time are still active or not.

    “We have noticed that vicious people are targeting lines that are dormant for a long time to carry out fraud.

    “Also, we want to formulate a policy to ensure that any line used to carry out fraud, the owner of that line will be prosecuted.

    “So, if you are not using a particular line, it is advisable you block it,” Maida said.

    Maida said the commission would focus more on being data centric, as the world was in a digital age.

    He noted that as a regulator of the telecoms industry, it was necessary to leverage data to make informed decisions.

    “We will be driving the collection of a lot of data from our stakeholders to project the work that we are doing, so that we can have a high level of transparency and accountability.

    “Compliance is another driver we need to focus on, as a regulator that is  empowered by the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, we have the power to hold our licensees to their obligations.

    “We have laid down obligations for our licensees to meet and we will ensure they uphold those obligations.

    “Of course, this will require more work on the part of the regulator, so we will be deploying digitalisation, to enable us work efficiently.

    “For instance, renewing of licenses can be done digitally,” Maida said.

    On its licensees, he said the commission was looking at reviewing the operating standards and introducing better ones which would be more in line with international best practices and also in the area of corporate governance.

    He said NCC would be leveraging technology to review regulatory services and internal processes to improve their operations.

    “We are going to be doing a lot of advocacy in the areas of pushing the telecoms industry as a critical national infrastructure.

    “On the right of way charges, we are working with States government to either waive the RoW charges or stick to the N145/linear charge. We are also engaging states on the issue of multiple taxation,” he said.

    Maida said that the commission would also be aligning its goals with that of the minister’s blueprint.

    He said that NCC’s policy was to grow the industry by increasing its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    “NCC is also focusing on job creation, especially for our youth, and facilitation of cross industries collaboration. We are going to enable other industries to innovate and grow,” he said.

  • NCC set to move consumers away from using multiple SIM cards

    NCC set to move consumers away from using multiple SIM cards

    The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has said efforts are being made to ensure total Quality of Experience (QoE) that will ensure telecom consumers move away from using multiple SIM cards.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida said this during a special engagement with the media in Lagos on Thursday to discuss his vision and strategy after spending 100 days in office.

    Maida stressed NCC will foster growth in the telecoms industry by focusing on collaboration, compliance, data and quality of experience.

    He said it was very vital to collaborate with stakeholders, who ranged from government agencies to the media, telecoms operators and consumers.

    The NCC boss said that the commission would be focusing on three major stakeholders – the telecoms consumers, the industry itself and the government.

    Maida noted that the commission would be focusing on the needs of each of these stakeholders, adding that it knew consumers, for example, are looking for total Quality of Experience (QoE).

    The NCC boss said the commission would  be driving QoE, right from the point of how consumers find and select telecoms services.

    “We will be leveraging on data to be able to empower consumers to make the right choice, so that we can move away from the world where we have multiple SIM devices.

    “Rather than multiple devices and SIM cards, we are looking at a situation, where consumers will only have one SIM card and one device.

    “We are also going to be working with our licensees on data tariff, speed and coverage. We are going to be working with our licensees to see how tariff can be simpler and more transparent,” Maida said.

    He added that the commission would also continue to enlighten consumers to understand the habits that drive greater data usage.

    Maida explained that as consumers buy phones with stronger data tolerance which produce better quality pictures, they fail to realise that these habits consume data faster.

  • Kidnapping: NIMC, NCC collaborate with security agencies on solutions

    Kidnapping: NIMC, NCC collaborate with security agencies on solutions

    The Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote says NIMC and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) are collaborating with security agencies to track down kidnappers and rescue the victims.

    The NIMC boss spoke at the Stakeholders Consultation Forum in Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project (NDID4D) on Thursday, in Abuja.

    Odusote said they were going to use the National Identity Numbers (NIN) and Subscribers Identity Modules (SIM) databases to track them down.

    The forum is with the theme, “Fostering Inclusion and Feedback Mechanism in the Nigeria Digital (ID4D) Project.”

    Odusote declined to give details of the collaboration, saying some gaps had been identified and all stakeholders were working to close up such gaps to address the security problems plaguing the country.

    She said loopholes that had been identified were being plugged, while NIMC and NCC were also collaborating with security agencies to ensure infrastructure and other necessary information were harnessed to address the challenges.

    Odusote, represented by her Technical Assistant, Mrs Ayobami Abiola, said that the essence of NIN for citizens was to reduce incidences of corruption and implement strategic development plans.

    According to her, countries that have completed their national identity databases have been able to deploy them for development and implement social security programmes successfully.

    Odusote said that NIMC would strengthen relationships with key stakeholders to ensure that established functional structures across states, local government, ward, and community levels could make enrolment for NIN more accessible to the people.

    She said that more vulnerable persons, especially persons with disabilities, as well as people who were in various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the country, would be captured in the National Identity Database.

    She said President Bola Tinubu had expressed concerns about fragmented identity and the need for Nigeria to have a unified system, saying the administration was committed to changing the narratives of national identity for all Nigerians.

    “The President has expressed worry over our fragmented identity system, which is causing the country huge losses in expenditure and has given us marching orders to ensure we integrate and unify our identity system.

    “To match words with action, the President on assumption of office as Commander-in-Chief signed the Nigeria Data Protection Bill, now Nigeria Data Protection Act.

    “This was to provide the needed legal framework for the protection and privacy of the data of Nigerians and legal residents.

    “The NIN is free and for everyone. At the NIMC, we frown at all forms of extortion and will ensure anyone found culpable of extorting any potential enrollee is made to bear the full weight of the law.

    “Since my assumption of office as the D-G of NIMC, I have led several sting operations to enrolment and regional coordination centres across the country.

    “Some of our staff who were found extorting enrollees were handed over to law enforcement agents for prosecution.”

    Odusote explained aside from working to remove all impediments and barriers to enrolment for a national ID, NIMC was working closely with the NDID4 with support from the World Bank,

    Others are the French Development Agency (AFD), and European Investment Bank (EIB) in implementing series of sustainable and innovative reforms among others.

    “The goal is to remove all current challenges and difficulties that people face in enrolling for IDs, fostering a robust, seamless, and more inclusive enrolment system where ID is provided for everyone, and no one is left behind.

    “We are also committed to addressing the challenges and barriers that vulnerable individuals and groups, including women, persons with disabilities, IDPs and refugees face in obtaining the NIN.

    “It is needed to facilitate their access to critical services necessary for their well-being.

    “NIMC is fashioning ways to clear the backlog of enrolment fees owed to enrolment partners.

    “It has also developed a robust business model to incentivise all partners particularly those who will be conducting enrolment in remote and hard-to-reach communities and locations.”

    She said that over 300 representatives of the revalidated enrolment agents drawn from every part of Nigeria, were undergoing training on several aspects of the enrolment process.

    “This is to equip them with all necessary skills and information needed to help them interact well with applicants and integrate into communities they are commissioned to carry out enrolment.

    “We will be working on amending the NIMC Act to ensure it is in consonance with the current digital realities to ease integration with other foundational ID agencies like the National Population Commission.

    “We are also working tirelessly on upgrading the enrolment software and ensuring the training and retraining of all licensed enrolment partners,” she said.

    Earlier, Solomon Odole, the Project’s Coordinator, NDID4D, stated that the forum was aimed at engaging stakeholders of the reforms that NIMC was making to ensure the NIN enrollment and issuance became easy and seamless for everyone.

    Odole also said the idea behind the forum was to ensure that vulnerable and marginalised individuals and groups were given visibility and adequately considered in the identity system.

    ‘‘This workshop is not just about professional development but also an opportunity to foster meaningful connections and build lasting relationships.

    “The workshop was aimed at fostering collective efforts among various stakeholders to foster a robust and inclusive foundational ID for every Nigerian and legal resident devoid of any form of discrimination or hindrance that ensures their access to services.”

    Participants at the workshop were: representatives of CSOs, Persons with disabilities, vulnerable and marginalised groups, relevant public institutions, international donor organisations, and funding partners.

  • NCC confirms agreement between Glo and MTN on interconnect fees

    NCC confirms agreement between Glo and MTN on interconnect fees

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has confirmed that telecom operators MTN and Globacom have reached an agreement to resolve the interconnect debt issue between them.

    This was announced this morning in a statement by the Director of Public Affairs of the commission, Reuben Muoka.

    “In granting the approval, the Commission was deeply conscious of the potential impacts of the decision on consumers and therefore continued to engage both parties to facilitate a resolution which prioritizes and protects consumer interest and the seamless operation of the national telecoms network,” NCC said.

    With the development, Glo subscribers will not be barred from making calls to MTN, and neither will MTN subscribers have any issues calling Glo network as earlier announced by the telecommunications industry regulator last week.

    While the notice from NCC last week had stated that Glo was owing MTN interconnect fees, industry sources later confirmed that Glo had actually paid off the debt in question.