Updated: NCC to sanction erring mobile network operators

Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday threatened to blacklist all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) found culpable of various infractions including protracted call-drops and poor service delivery.

The sanctions which may affect two major operators are to be enforced as from next week, are expected to serve as deterrent to other telecom firms which fall short of industry standard.

Umar Dambatta, NCC Executive Vice Chairman, issued the threat notice during an investigative public hearing held in Abuja, at the instance of the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee investigating operational activities of telecommunications equipment and service companies and vendors in Nigeria, chaired by Ahmed Abu.

Meanwhile, the Adhoc Committee during the interactive session with NCC resolved to summon Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment over the repatriated funds and massive job loss in the telecoms industry.

Abu (APC-Niger) who expressed concern over the petitions received by the House, stressed the need for prompt intervention by the House following in response to the series of petitions sent to the Ad-hoc committee before the job loss reach unbearable level.

According to him, the Commission resorted to sanctions as part of ongoing efforts to protect consumers and empower Nigerians to take informed decision on the choice of effective MNOs to patronise.

On the level of network penetration, Dambatta noted that Nigeria had more than 80 percent wireless coverage and 40,000 kilometers broadband infrastructure coverage especially in major cities including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, among others.

He however observed that the mobile penetration is currently over 100 percent, over 150 million have access to mobile telecoms, more than 90 percent have access to internet service.

The Ad-hoc committee which was mandated to ascertain the categories and payments for the license/frequencies/spectrums allocated so far; records of infractions, penalties imposed and evidence of payments for those penalties from 2005 to date.

Also expected are: audited accounts of all registered telecommunications and IT companies; evidence of compIiance with statutory obligations, frequencies monitoring report for GSM frequencies and microwave frequencies and dropped calls, among others.

While responding to questions from the lawmakers on the poor service delivery, Dambatta who frowned at the level of ‘degradation’ in terms of drop-calls across the country since October 2016, however assured the Ad-hoc Committee that the Commission had confronted the operators at a meeting held last where March 2017 deadline was given for improvement.

Dambatta explained that the Commission “read Riot Act to them and gave them up to March 2017 during which they will monitor the quality of service,” disclosed that there are records of slight improvement of service though still low to the stipulated standard considering the seven Key Performance Indicators (KPI) set by the Commission.

The NCC helmsman explained that measures have also been put in place to check the challenge of unsolicited messages which contribute to low quality of service, as aggrieved consumers an report such default through dedicated toll free Number 622.

He however noted that some of the operators blamed the default on certain factors including: erratic power supply, paucity of foreign exchange for importation of telecom equipment, vandalisation of infrastructure and other infrastructure and non-access to right of way to deploy the required telecoms infrastructure.

Dambatta also solicited for support of the National Assembly towards ensuring speedy consideration and passage of bill which seeks to criminalise the vandalisation of telecoms infrastructure across the country.

The NCC accounting officer, who earlier expressed displeasure over the spate of job losses which led to sack of thousands of Nigerians, however noted that the Commission is not involved in handling of labour related matter, as it was under the purview of Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

On the alleged indiscriminate charges and alleged extortion of consumers, Dambatta explained that the Commission provides price low which all the operators cannot offer while no limit depending on the market demand adding that the Commission does not provide for data charges.

While ruling, Abu (APC-Niger) mandated the NCC management team to provide relevant documents relating to the “parameters and basis for determining and approving transfer of funds outside the shores of Nigeria particularly those that bring in capital and investment from outside the shores of Nigeria,” as captured in the letter with Ref. No: NASS/HAA/041/05/17, dated 5th May, 2017 and sent to the NCC Executive chairman.