The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has initiated a process for the review of existing licensing structure in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.
Its public affairs director, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, in a statement said that the move was in demonstration of its responsiveness to global trends and the new dynamics in the Information and Communications Technology ecosystem.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) Prof. Umar Danbatta had already inaugurated an in-house Standing Committee to carry out the task towards achieving the set goals.
Danbatta, while inaugurating the committee, stated the need for the review as being informed by the wide range of technological advances and the convergence of technologies and services, which have characterized the global telecoms space over the years and whose impact was increasingly being felt in Nigeria.
The current licensing structure is almost 20 years old, he noted, hence the need for an urgent review to reflect new licensing trends in line with international standards, while providing opportunities for improved revenue for government.
Danbatta noted that the work of the committee would be carried out in phases, to ensure effective delivery of its task and enable the commission to institute a process that would lead to the review of the terms and conditions of the various license categories.
