The three-day public inquiry allowed stakeholders, including experts, industry participants, and concerned citizens, to critically assess and offer insights on the draft instruments. These instruments will ultimately shape the telecommunications sector's governance and influence its impact on society in the coming years.
The six instruments under consideration are Quality of Service Regulations, draft Guidelines on Corporate Governance for the communications sector, Commercial Satellite Guidelines, Numbering Regulations, Competition Practices Regulations, and draft Data Protection Regulations.
NCC's Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, emphasized that these regulatory measures aim to foster a robust environment for industry growth, technological advancement, and economic development.
‘‘It affords seamless communication, fosters connectivity and thereby creates an enabling environment to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
‘‘However, with the laudable advancements in the sector comes great responsibility on the part of government to ensure that there exists an enabling environment for the industry to thrive, through the introduction/amendment of key regulatory instruments.’’
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has made significant changes to its Quality of Service Regulations to align with current realities, as stated by NCC's Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta.
The revised regulations now include Business Rules for Quality of Services, encompassing various parameters, making them adaptable to the dynamic trends in technology and diverse deployment approaches within the sector.
Additionally, the NCC introduced draft Guidelines on Corporate Governance for the communications sector to foster transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in communication companies.
‘‘The third instrument, which is the Commercial Satellite Guidelines, which is now intended to be Regulations, has been amended to address the growing demand for satellite services, satellite licensing and orbital slots, ensuring fair access for all stakeholders towards ensuring that the broadband penetration targets of the government are attained.
‘‘The fourth Instrument, the Numbering Regulations, has comprehensively analyzed the current numbering regime to identify possible gaps and ensure it is adaptable to the ever-evolving needs of the sector. The Competition Practices Regulations has been amended to ensure that the current Regulations strike the right balance between encouraging healthy competition and safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders.
