Says Competition key in the telecom sector
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), has said that the Commission will give closer attention to managing the competition in the industry, even as he welcomed competition as key to the healthy growth of the telecoms sector.
Maida, who spoke on Wednesday when he received a delegation of management of Airtel Networks Limited in Abuja, said “We are more inclined to promote competition by creating a level-playing ground for all our licensees.”
The NCC boss who explained that the Commission is looking at all sides of the issue of competition in the sector added: “Indeed, the rising cost of business is affecting every sector. We are also looking at a win-win regulatory approach. Still, we need to be careful to avoid over-regulation, as over-regulation is damaging to competition in the industry.
“The NCC has recently undertaken the review of all categories of licences, both class, and individual, to ensure that our licensees are still able to work well within their capital and operating expenditure (COPEX).”
During the visit by the Airtel delegation, Maida further stated that in line with the regulatory approach, the Commission considers it critical to have a win-win strategy and regulatory framework in place to ensure the sustainability of the telecom industry.
“It’s critical for the NCC and telcos to develop win-win strategies for the Nigerian telecom industry so that everybody gets value. The Minister has a blueprint, the President has the Renewed Hope Agenda, and they need to achieve it while telcos need to deliver value to the customers,” he said.
The Airtel Network delegation was led by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Carl Cruz, who congratulated the EVC for his appointment by the President and confirmation by the Senate.
While commending the Commission for the competition and regulatory policies and frameworks, that it has put in place over the years, Cruz said such efforts must be sustained to ensure a healthy competitive environment for telecom licensees.
