Victor EzejaThe deployment of 5G technology is expected to create a global value chain that would generate 22.3 million jobs and result in $13.2 trillion economic value by 2035, according to a market study, said Adeleke Adewolu, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Adwewolu, who made this revelation at The ‘Talk-to-the-Regulator Forum’ held in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, said the commission has played an effective role in placing the nation at a vantage position to reap these benefits.
He said the exponential growth of the telecommunications sector in Nigeria is largely attributable to effective policies, legal and regulatory framework implemented by the Federal Government through the NCC.
He said: “The Communications Sector is indeed the pace-setter sector as far as the expansion of the frontiers for national development is concerned. This was further underscored by the recent deployment of the Fifth Generation Technology (5G) services in the Country which we believe will ensure that Nigeria maximises the benefit of the 4th Industrial Revolution whilst being sufficiently prepared for any attendant risk that may occur.”
Adewolu explained that the Talk-to-the-Regulator Forum is an opportunity for Critical Stakeholders to share their respective challenges, experiences and also suggest viable solutions to the Regulator.
“Constant engagement with the regulator is the path towards regulatory efficiency as it preserves the integrity of the regulatory instruments issued by the regulator whilst securing the buy-in of all stakeholders”, he said.
He further noted that the Commission recently issued a regulatory framework for the licensing of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Nigeria as well as the requisite licence for such services, which according to him, has witnessed significant interest from prospective investors.
“New Market Entrants in this category can leverage on the growth and infrastructure in the telecommunications industry and it is particularly attractive to investors due to its low cost of entry in terms of capital expenditure,” Adewolu added.
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Earlier in his keynote address, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, said the telecom industry has witnessed significant milestones in many ways, including the rapid growth in technology, which is redefining service delivery, and creating wide and high expectations from all stakeholders.
The NCC boss said that to keep up to date with developments in the industry, the Commission has equally taken measures to improve regulations to accommodate rapid and continuous development.
“Some of the interventions and responses of the Commission include but are not limited to: Facilitating the Roll-Out of 5G Service provision and introduction of Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Licence to bridge the gap between unserved and underserved areas,” he stated.
Danbatta added that the commission is currently reviewing the scope and structure of its existing licenses to make them more robust and to accommodate some of the identified new industry trends.
He explained that in line with the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020 – 2025), the NCC “is providing industry leadership to facilitate the achievement of 90% Broadband penetration by the year 2025, and well above 50% by the end of 2023.
“Currently, over a One Hundred and Fifty (I50) million Nigerians have access to the internet, while over eighty (80) million can access high-speed internet”, Danbatta said.
He described the ‘Talk-To-The Regulator’ Forum as “a common platform for non-discriminatory interaction on a one-on-one basis, between the Licensees and the Regulator on several industry issues, pertinent to the Licensees and of national interest.”
While stating that the forum was originally scheduled to hold in 2022 but was postponed due to the dreadful flood disaster that hit Bayelsa and some other states in the year, Danbatta commiserated with the people of the state over the unfortunate incident and prayed that such natural disaster shall not plaque country again.
In an address, the Zonal Controller, NCC, Port Harcourt, Venny Eze, said the Regulator Forum came 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.
“Today`s event, provides a veritable platform for interaction between the regulator and the licensees, on one hand, and other industry stakeholders, on the other hand. 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,” Eze said.
He added that the event would afford the Licensees, an opportunity to be educated on topical issues of concern, which would help them comply with the licensing terms and conditions, in the various license categories.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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