The Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, says that the NCC has commenced the review of the Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) Business Rules to deepen competition and expand access to telecommunications services in Nigeria.
Speaking at a one-day MVNO Business Rule Stakeholders Forum organised by the commission on Thursday in Abuja, Maida said that the review was aimed at promoting innovation and enhancing the regulatory framework guiding MVNO operations, while ensuring a more competitive and inclusive telecommunications ecosystem.
Dr. Maida, who was represented by the Director of Licensing and Authorisation at the NCC, Mr Usman Mamman, said that the introduction of the MVNO business rules reflected the commission’s broader commitment in line with its strategic objective of achieving digital inclusion.
“The MVNO business rules are designed to provide clarity on licensing, operational responsibilities and relationships with host network operators while safeguarding consumer interests and market integrity.
“At the same time, we expect full compliance, and the commission will continue to exercise its mandate to ensure that all operators adhere strictly to established guidelines,” he said.
In his own presentation, Mamman said that the introduction of MVNOs into Nigeria’s telecommunications sector followed years of consultations with industry stakeholders.
He said that the framework was designed to accommodate different business models and varying levels of technical and operational capabilities, thereby creating opportunities for wider participation in the sector.
According to him, the framework allows qualified operators to provide mobile communication services by leveraging the infrastructure of existing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) without owning radio spectrum or deploying nationwide radio access networks.
Mamman said that the commission had issued 46 MVNO licences across the five operational tiers.
He said that the distribution comprised one Tier 1 licence, 11 Tier 2 licences, 16 Tier 3 licences, seven Tier 4 licences and 11 Tier 5 licences.
Earlier, the Head of Legal and Regulatory Services, NCC, Mrs Chizua Whyte, said that the commission developed the draft business rules to provide a clear operational framework for MVNOs within Nigeria’s communications ecosystem.
According to her, the emergence of MVNOs presents significant opportunities to deepen competition, stimulate innovation, promote service differentiation and expand consumer choice.
She said that the stakeholder forum was convened to obtain industry input that would strengthen the regulatory framework before its final adoption.
GIK/APA