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Tag: NCC

  • Mobile phone subscription in Nigeria hits 147m in January – NCC

    Mobile phone subscription in Nigeria hits 147m in January – NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said that the country’s phone subscriptions have reached 147 million as at January 2018.

    The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta disclosed this during the NCC Special Day at the ongoing 29th Enugu International Trade Fair.

    The fair was organised by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Mines, Industries and Agriculture (ECCIMA).

    Danbatta who was represented by the Director of Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, said that the country’s social media space had continued to thrive.

    “Our statistics continue to show positive movement in the provision of services with internet and phone penetrations standing at over 100 million and 147 million subscribers respectively in January 2018.

    “With broadband penetration of 21 per cent, Nigeria’s social media space has continued to thrive and citizens are enjoying access to modern ways of interaction in the cyberspace,“ he said.

    Danbatta said that Nigerians were not left behind with services and innovations that abound in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry.

    “It is our commitment to keep the nation abreast of developments in telecommunications industry through innovative and world class regulatory processes,” he said.

    He said that commission would soon issue directive to service providers to give 14 days’ window to subscribers to enable them roll over their unused data.

    “In other words, this will stop the current practice where subscribers lose unused data even if they fail to renew on the date of the expiration of the current subscription.

    “We have already put the service providers on special notice about our current monitoring of user experience relating to poor reception, wrong billings and deductions and will call them to account in due course,” he said.

    Earlier, the President of ECCIMA, Mr Emeka Udeze, said that the presence of the commission at the fair was a well thought out strategy to interact with its various public in the South East.

    He said that a whole lot of positive changes had taken place in the ICT sector which had accentuated the pace of socio-economic development of the nation.

    “Yet, there remains a lot more that needed to be done to fully tap the potentials in this sector and for customers of the various networks to fully maximize the benefits of optimal service delivery,” he said.

    Udeze observed that the NCC day remained one of the most crowd-pulling, exciting and colourful special days at the fair.

     

  • Broadband penetration: NCC to license more infracos, auction additional spectrums

    In the bid to achieve its broadband penetration target, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it will license more infrastructure companies (Infracos) and also auction additional spectrums very soon.

    Professor Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC stated this recently saying Nigeria is left with just 8 per cent to attain the 30 per cent broadband target set by the Federal Government by the end of this year.

    “At the moment, Nigeria has moved from 10 per cent to 22 per cent broadband penetration in the pursuit of the 30 per cent target set for December 2018.

    “Effort is ongoing to deepen the penetration as part of this administration’s eight-point agenda.

    “Plans are also ongoing to license Infrastructure Companies, Infracos, auction some frequency licences, while some are being initiated and some being reframed to achieve the broadband penetration target.

    “In broadband, we have moved from 10 per cent to 22 per cent broadband penetration at the moment. All these are going on simultaneously,” Danbatta said.

    Meanwhile, Edo state government has made drastic moves to take advantage of this development with the view to attracting more telecoms infrastructure to the State in order to provide its citizens with world class telecoms and ICT services.

    In an elaborate meeting between the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the NCC, led by the Commission’s Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Mr Sunday Dare, the NCC assured Obaseki of readiness to support the achievement of the ICT aspirations of the State through the deployment of fiber infrastructure under the Commission’s InfraCo project and interventions by the Universal Service Provision Fund.

    Dare, at the meeting, assured the Governor that NCC is keen to partner Edo State to achieve win-win solutions in the overall interests of the good people of Edo State.

    In his remarks, the Governor noted that the Edo State Government is focused on exploring non-oil resources and has therefore articulated developmental priorities focusing on creating a sense of order (participative, accountable and open governance); and a sense of security, safety and stability necessary to attract requisite investments to develop the State.

    Since its developmental goals relies on the seamless availability of telecoms/ICT infrastructure, Edo State is passionate about the need to attract robust telecoms infrastructure to drive manufacturing, education and other socio-economic activities.

    As an example of the State’s forward-looking approach, the Governor noted that Edo State has always made provision for shared fiber ducts in its road projects and looks forward to engaging with NCC and operators to agree on fiber deployment projects and routes as necessary.

     

  • Edo state pushes for robust telecoms infrastructure

    Edo state pushes for robust telecoms infrastructure

    The Government of Edo State and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have reaffirmed their commitment to work together to improve access to telecoms infrastructure and provide citizens of Edo State with world class telecoms and ICT facilities.

    This commitment was made during a meeting between the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the NCC, led by the Commission’s Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Mr Sunday Dare.

    In his welcome remarks at the meeting, which was held at the NCC headquarters on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, Mr. Dare commended the forward-looking policies of the Governor and assured him of the NCC’s readiness to support the achievement of the ICT aspirations of the State through the deployment of fiber infrastructure under the Commission’s InfraCo project and interventions by the Universal Service Provision Fund.

    He noted that the NCC is aggressively driving accessibility to telecoms networks at all nooks and crannies of the Federation.

    He, however, regretted that situation with multiple taxation and regulation in some States of the Federation is counter-productive for the States – this is because they end up losing substantial revenues and developmental opportunities which could have been stimulated with the presence of telecoms infrastructure.

    He assured the Governor that NCC is keen to partner Edo State to achieve win-win solutions in the overall interests of the good people of Edo State.

    In his remarks, the Governor noted that the Edo State Government is focused on exploring non-oil resources and has therefore articulated developmental priorities focusing on creating a sense of order (participative, accountable and open governance); and a sense of security, safety and stability necessary to attract requisite investments to develop the State.

    Since its developmental goals relies on the seamless availability of telecoms/ICT infrastructure, Edo State is passionate about the need to attract robust telecoms infrastructure to drive manufacturing, education and other socio-economic activities.

    As an example of the State’s forward-looking approach, the Governor noted that Edo State has always made provision for shared fiber ducts in its road projects and looks forward to engaging with NCC and operators to agree on fiber deployment projects and routes as necessary.

    During the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the USPF, Mr Ayuba Shuaibu confirmed that the USPF has evaluated and agreed to support the College of Education in Benin City and the Institute of Continuing Education in Abudu, Edo State with a grant to establish a computer laboratory and provide Optic Fiber Connectivity to the institutions.

    The Governor thanked the USPF for the gesture and emphasized that the State is committed to the deployment of technology solutions to enhance basic education delivery, skills development and economic opportunities for its citizens. Mr Dare assured the Governor of NCC’s support in this regard.

    The parties therefore agreed to explore opportunities for partnership in the deployment of telecoms infrastructure in Edo State in a manner that supports the State’s developmental objectives and provides citizens with access to fast, efficient and effective telecoms service whilst affording necessary protection for telecoms infrastructure in the State.

     

  • Telephony services: Airtel topples Glo in new market share stats

    Airtel Nigeria has toppled Globacom to become the second largest telecommunications service provider in Nigeria in terms of the number of active subscribers for telephony services.

    This is contained in Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) industry statistics report published for the month of January analyzed by TheNewsGuru.

    The data showed a marginal difference of 98,561 that an industry expert has said has a lot of significance in the telecoms industry, especially owing to the fact that it is the first time in a period of twenty months Glo would be dislodged from the second spot.

    The statistics showed that while the number of active subscribers on Airtel is now 38,326,579 raking in 26.10% of the GSM market share, the number of subscribers on Glo is 38,228,018 (26.03%) and that of 9mobile is 16,867,579 (11.49%), with MTN retaining top spot with a total of 53,442,969 (36.39%) number of active subscribers.

    NCC subscriber/operator data

    NCC subscriber/operator data1

    TheNewsGuru reports the statistics also revealed that Internet users in the country increase to 100.2 million in January, from 98.4 million in December 2017.

    The data showed an increase of 1.9 million new subscribers in the country.

    Airtel and MTN gained more internet subscribers during the month in review, while Glo and 9mobile were the big losers.

    The breakdown revealed that MTN gained the most with over 1 million new internet users increasing its subscription in January to over 37 million from 36 million recorded in December 2017.

    Airtel also gained 84,269 new internet users in January amounting to about 25 million users as against about 24 million users in December 2017.

    9mobile, however, lost 60,652 internet users in January, decreasing its subscription to 11,278,187 as against 11,338,839 recorded in December 2017.

    The data showed in January, Globacom lost 70,701, showing a loss of 26,927,116, from 26,997.817 recorded in December 2017.

     

  • Teleology finally takes possession of 9mobile

    Teleology Holdings Ltd., says it is transferring a non-refundable completion deposit of 50 million dollars to the trustees of the bank syndicate presently holding ownership of 9Mobile.

    The company made this known in a statement signed by Mr Adrian Wood, Teleology’s Director and pioneer Managing Director of MTN Nigeria.

    Wood said the payment underscored Teleology’s financial capability and readiness to revive the organisation, adding it was set to aggregate a 10-point to turn 9mobile around.

    “The Nigerian telecom sector is set to witness a new era of innovation and vibrancy as Teleology puts finishing touches to its acquisition of 9mobile, Nigeria’s 4th telecom services provider.

    “In the last few days, key executives of the organisation have been deep in meetings with the Nigerian bank syndicate, the regulatory authorities and advisors.

    “These meetings have culminated in the signing of the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) and other contractual documents pertaining to the acquisition.

    “Ahead of the March 22 deadline set by the Financial Advisers, Teleology has also transferred a non-refundable completion deposit of 50 million dollars to the trustees of the bank syndicate presently holding ownership of 9Mobile.

    “Equally important, Teleology has detailed an ambitious plan of action that will guide its rapid overhaul not only of the network but all aspects of the operations,” he said.

    According to Wood, 9mobile is transiting into a new phase that will be defined by optimal value delivery: value to our employees, value to our customers, value to local communities and indeed to all stakeholders.

    He added that the new organisation to emerge would be “engineering- led and brand-driven”.

    He said in delivering service, it would strive to ensure that 9Mobile operations delivered fulfillment to the customers, empowerment to local communities, protection to the vulnerable, and excellent rewards not only to the shareholders but to all stakeholders.

    Wood said the company planned to double the 9Mobile network with new 3G/4G specific cell sites as well as a several thousands of kilometers of fiber optic cable across the country.

    He said it would drive a special programme of rural internet coverage, focusing on 4G with broadband access planned for all of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

    He said youth engagement and employment programmes were also planned with all build contractors, distributors and consultants, while investment in broadband internet access technologies which were completely new to Nigeria was also planned.

    “Very importantly, the 9Mobile network will be optimised for high speed and high capacity data including imaging, video, games, music, IPTV and more.

    “Any three-point plan or three-dimension idea is naïve and completely missing the scope and complexity of the urgent Nigerian need to be brought into the 21st century broadband era.

    “Teleology envisages an increase of 50 per cent in direct employment in the new 9Mobile.

    “There is also an active plan to introduce within the first year, several million 4G-capable premium quality smartphones, at exceedingly affordable pricing.

    “Nigerians should look forward to a new regime of intensely exciting and innovative brand loyalty rewards programmes, from the new 9Mobile,” he said.

    He said that Teleology had entered into an alliance with Safaricom, the largest network operator in East Africa, famous for its global “mpesa” mobile financial services system.

    He said the system advances financial inclusion and supports the network with the highest operating efficiencies in Africa.

    He said that Teleology’s coming at a period when competition in the Nigerian telecom industry had for some years been limited to price wars between the various GSM companies, clearly, would herald a new era of intense competition and market share.

    He said that Teleology was promoted by a group of 12 telecom industry veterans with considerable experience not only in Nigeria and Africa but in the global telecom space as well.

    Wood commended the Barclays Africa, the Financial Advisers to the transaction, the Nigerian bank syndicate, the fulsome backing and support of the Nigeria Communications Commission and CBN which made 9Mobile’s survival possible.

    He also commended the loyal 9Mobile management and staff who carried on in the face of skepticism, doubt and negative market sentiment.

    He assured that additional details including formal relaunch plans would be unveiled in due course.

    Teleology emerged as the new owner of 9mobile ahead of Smile, which had been the only other bidder in the final round of the takeover bid.

    At the beginning of submission of bids, over 10 bidders had indicated interest in acquiring the mobile network, only five were shortlisted.

    These include Bharti Airtel, Globacom, Helios Investment, Smile Communications and Teleology Holdings Ltd.

    The acquisition bid was as a result of the Mubadala Development Company of the United Arab Emirates, 9Mobile (formerly Etisalat) largest shareholder, pulling out its investment out of the country.

    The pullout was over a protracted 1.2 billion dollars syndicated loan alleged to have been mismanaged by the former board of the telecommunications firm.

     

  • Internet users in Nigeria record marginal increase in January

    Internet users in the country increase to 100.2 million in January, from 98.4 million in December 2017, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said.

    The NCC made this disclosure in its Monthly Internet Subscribers Data for January 2018 on its website on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The data showed a marginal increase of 1.9 million new subscribers in the country.

    NCC said Airtel, MTN gained more internet subscribers during the month in review, while Glo and 9mobile were the big losers.

    The breakdown revealed that MTN gained the most with over 1 million new internet users increasing its subscription in January to over 37 million from 36 million recorded in December 2017.

    It said Airtel also gained 84, 269 new internet users in January amounting to about 25 million users as against about 24 million users in December 2017.

    It said 9mobile however lost 60,652 internet users in January, decreasing its subscription to 11,278,187 as against 11,338,839 recorded in December 2017.

    The data showed in January, Globacom lost 70,701, showing a loss of 26,927,116, from 26,997.817 recorded in December 2017.

     

  • NCC launches TV commercial on “Do Not Disturb’’ for unsolicited messages

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday said it had launched a nationwide television commercial to further educate subscribers against unsolicited text messages.

    NCC in a statement said the television commercial was part of its efforts to educate and empower telecommunication subscribers.

    NCC said the television commercial which features popular comedian Helen Paul and Kanywood’s most popular actor, Ali Nuhu, would break in the broadcast media on March 26.

    The commission had on March 15, 2017, launched a major campaign of awareness to enlighten subscribers about issues and solutions available to them that would enable them enjoy their services.

    “Among these solutions is the Do-Not-Disturb Code which enables subscribers who do not want to receive unsolicited text messages to simply text STOP to 2442 in any of the networks.

    “Subscribers who want particular types of messages have opportunity to choose a particular message type by texting HELP to 2442, to avail themselves of the different options to choose.

    The commission said the television commercial would feature in major national television networks and local television stations in all the states of the federation.

    “Also featured in the television commercial is the 622 complaints platform, a toll free number operated by the NCC, where consumers whose complaints are not resolved by the service providers can report to the commission for immediate resolution.

     

  • Regulation breach: Probe report on IHS Towers ready in April

    Regulation breach: Probe report on IHS Towers ready in April

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said the panel it set up to probe into allegations of market stiffening levied against mobile telecommunications infrastructure provider, IHS Towers, by another service provider, SWAP Technologies and Telecoms will be ready in three weeks’ time.

    Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Dambatta, who led other management staff of the commission to a House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications investigative hearing, today, revealed this.

    Dambatta who was represented by the Director in charge of Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, told the Committee that the Commission had set-up the panel to ascertain the level of compliance with the NCC regulations by IHS.

    “NCC has a standard regulation for installation of masts, for instance, there must be a minimum distance of 1km for a mast of 355-meter height. We only received the coordinate from SWAP in February, we have set up a committee to investigate and the report will be ready in three weeks,” the NCC representative said.

    TheNewsGuru reports in 2017 SWAP petitioned the House of Representatives over an alleged breach of NCC regulation on the citing of based stations by IHS, resulting to the House placing a ban on IHS to desist from completing about 243 of its telecommunication masts under construction across the states of the Federation.

    Speaking, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, explained that his committee had received several petitions from telecommunications service providers, as regards inability of IHS to deliver on their terms to contract.

    This, he said, is according to the pending directive of the committee.

    The Chairman, however, noted that it would be insensitive to further halt the business operations of IHS, after four months.

    “This committee in November directed IHS to halt further installation on the facilities in contention, this was in anticipation that the NCC report would be ready and presented to us within three weeks.

    “However, since the report is not ready, IHS can continue its installation, on the condition that if they are indicted by the NCC report, appropriate sanctions will be applied,” the Lawmaker said.

    Meanwhile, the Committee made IHS Head of Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr Abbey Bond, to sign an undertaking that adequate sanctions, including compensation, would apply if the NCC report indicts the company.

     

  • NCC seizes N36.1 broadcast items, apprehends 2 suspects in Delta

    The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), said it had seized broadcast contrivance worth N36.1 million in Delta.

    Mr Augustine Amodu, the NCC Director of Enforcement, made the disclosure in Warri, while speaking with newsmen.

    Amodu said that two suspects were also apprehended by the enforcement team and were currently detained at the facilities of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Warri.

    He said the operation was carried out between March 13 and March 16, in Ughelli and Warri.

    The director of enforcement said the items seized included: several decoders, splitters, senders, boosters, adding that about two trucks load of wires were also destroyed in the operation.

    “We conducted anti-piracy exercise in Ughelli and Warri between March 13 and 16, and we made a seizure of broadcast contrivance worth N36.1 million.

    ” Following the zeal of the NCC Director-General, Mr Afam Ezekude on the enforcement of the Nigeria Copyright Law, we got complaints from the Multichoice DSTV.

    “We raided three stations in Ughelli on the 13th and seized a lot of broadcast items, but no suspect was caught.

    ” Between 14th and 16th, we raided more than seven stations in Warri, and seized contrivances and also apprehended two suspects who are currently detained at the NDLEA facilities,” he said.

    Amodu said that there was need to sustain the anti-piracy operations, particularly on broadcast items in the Niger Delta region because the perpetrators quickly come back to resuscitate them as soon as the enforcement team left.

    ”Under the leadership of the DG, Mr Ezekude, the enforcement of the Copyright Law has come to its height, today NCC has recorded 58 convictions and over 150 cases in the Federal High Courts,” he said.

    The director of enforcement warned perpetrators who indulged in the illegalities to desist from it and sought for a better means of livelihood before the law catches up with them.

    Amodu who said that piracy was a cankerworm that had eaten deeply into the fabric of the society, noted that it was a setback on the diversification policy of the Federal Government because it discourages legitimate creativity.

    He advised the public not to patronise the perpetrators who he said do not pay tax to the government, “if you do, it will be unfortunate that you will begin to have problem with us”.

     

  • Active mobile phone lines 146m in January 2018 – NCC

    Active mobile phone lines 146m in January 2018 – NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says the number of active mobile phone lines in the country rose to 146 million in January 2018, an increase of 2,233,467 lines from the 144,631 recorded in December 2017.

    NCC made this known in its monthly Subscribers Operator Data posted on its website.

    The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), however, had 217,566 users in January 2018 just as in December 2017.

    The report said the number of fixed wired/wireless in January 2018 was 137,262 as against 139,344 in December 2017, showing a decrease of 2.082 lines.

    According to NCC, the number of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) was 76,371 in January 2018 compared to 70,926 in December 2017, an increase of 5, 445.

    Teledensity for January 2018 was 105.21 against 103.61 in December 2017, recording an increase of 1.60

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that teledensity is the number of telephone connections for every 100 individuals living within an area and it varies widely across the country.

    NCC also said the number of connected mobile lines in January 2018 increased to 237,755,757, compared to 236,927,497 in December 2017, an increase of 828,260.

    The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) for connected lines for January 2018 was 3,586.095, the same figure with December, 2017, it said.

    The report said that the number of fixed wired/wireless for connected lines in January 2018 was 345.195 compared to 346,107 in December 2017, showing a decrease of 912 lines.

    Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) for connected lines in January 2018 was 523,298 while December 2017 was 472, 844,752 , showing an increase of 50, 454.