Nigeria: 'Factors Behind Telecoms Services Downturn'

By Nkechi Onyedika

Abuja — LACK of sufficient capacity; vandalisation of facilities; incessant closures of base stations and operational offices of service providers by some state governments and their agents have been identified as major contributors to the sharp decline in quality of telephone services in Nigeria.

According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which stressed that for improved telephone services, these challenges must be overcome, noted however, that there has been slight improvement in service quality.

NCC To Protect $25bn Telecoms Investment

Written by Nkechi Isaac

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has promised the protection of the over $25 billion investment in the telecoms sector under the telecoms corporate governance code for telecoms industry recently launched by the commission.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos, its Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, said the unveiling of the industry-specific code of corporate governance would help the NCC to enthrone global best practices among the boards of telecoms players, whose actions and inactions have far-reaching effects on the entire telecoms industry.

“The code became necessary to reposition the sector to contribute more to the country’s rebased GDP,” he pointed out.

197,000 Subscribers Have Ported Their Numbers – NCC

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr Eugene Juwah, yesterday (Friday, July 18), said 197,000 subscribers have ported their numbers from one network to another in their efforts to take advantage of the opportunities availed by the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) scheme in terms of improved quality of service.

Dr Juwah, who spoke at a prize giving ceremony for winners of an essay competition in Abuja, said the mobile number portability has afforded subscribers a variety of choices, enhanced quality services as well as deepened competition amongst telecommunication providers.

He expressed hope that the months ahead would see more people changing their service providers from one to another.

NCC Steps Up Surveillance on Illegal Telecommunication Operators

By Okon Bassey          

Hard times now await all illegal providers of telecommunication services in the country as the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has stepped up monitoring and surveillance activities on those who contravene the law.

Already, NCC team led by Assistant Director (Enforcement), Mr. Salisu Abdu has sealed off TB telecommunication in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital over illegal operation.

Nigeria: 'Why 70 Percent Slash in Telecoms Charges May Hurt Industry'

By Adeyemi Adepetun and Ayoyinka Jegede

Lagos and Uyo — Although Nigeria's telecommunications market may have witnessed about 70 per cent reduction in prices of telecoms services since the revolution started about 13 years ago, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that this portends danger for further growth of the industry.

Besides, the NCC said this is gradually reducing the country's telecoms sector competitiveness globally.

Nigeria: Telecoms Operators Deny Involvement in Unsolicited SMS Menace, Finger Foreign Elements

By Adeyemi Adepetun

TELECOMMUNICATIONS operators in Nigeria, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat have rejected blames that they were responsible for the increasing menace of unsolicited text messages and illegal credit deductions from customers account.

Indeed, the operators combined currently control about 97 per cent of the country's telecoms market and share about 126 million active subscribers.

Defending these allegations at the weekend in Lagos at the repackaged but 75th edition of the Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP), organized the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the operators accused some unscrupulous foreign data miners that are exploring their networks.