New NCC Boss Sets Agenda For Telecoms Growth

Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Eugene Juwah, said on Sunday in Lagos that the commission would focus on six key areas for the growth of the telecommunications industry within five years.

Juwah told newsmen that one of the major areas the commission would concentrate on would be the consolidation and integration of mobile wireless services.

He named the other areas as fixed lines and broadband deployment for national development, enhanced competitive market for enhanced consumer choice and vigorous compliance, monitoring and enforcement of regulations.

According to him, the rest are national connectivity for accelerated growth and enhanced international relations.

He said the current mobile network in Nigeria was not fully optimised and that the nation could derive more value from an optimised mobile network, especially with an improved quality of service.

“The commission will encourage the upgrade of mobile networks to include 3G data overlays for the implementation of application services.

“This will include but not limited to mobile payment, estate agency and other entertainment services using the internet as a plank.

“We want to achieve this by implementing the key performance indicators for quality of services that can be possibly monitored independently by the commission with zero tolerance for non-compliance.

“Such wireless network will also deliver enhanced and integrated services to such other national projects as the Emergency Communications Centres being implemented by the commission in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,’’ he said.

He said the NCC would strive to bring fixed lines back to homes, schools, offices and businesses, adding that plans for massive deployment of broadband infrastructure were being explored.

“While it is true that mobile phone has attained high penetration and usage, for many homes, businesses and companies, there still exists a yawning need for fixed line access.

“We are therefore, currently working out the details on how to implement this desirable project which would bequeath the nation with an accomplished and robust telephone network for national development.

“This means that the nation will expect more licenses coming out from the commission, while investors are being informed of new opportunities that the Nigerian market presents,’’ Juwah said.

He added that in the next five years, the NCC would concentrate on enhanced competitive market which would ensure enhanced choices for the consumer.

According to him, there is need to enhance the competition in the market to bring about the best in all the operators as competition also breeds best atmosphere for the consumer.

“The situation must change and all the stakeholders in the industry will need to inject a new corporate governance approach towards compliance with existing regulations and directions,’’ Juwah said.

He noted that the Monitoring and Compliance Department, set up by the commission was being equipped with human and material resources needed for effective performance.

Juwah said the regulatory body would focus on national connectivity for accelerated growth in which the commission planned to reduce the distance of access to telecommunications services for every Nigerian.