The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stated it’s placing measures in place to be sure that small gamers within the Nigerian telecommunications trade are protected.
To obtain this, the Commission stated it might use evidence-based assessments to promote honest competitors and guarantee smaller telecommunications operators will not be deprived.
Dr Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC stated this whereas talking on the Second Stakeholder Engagement Forum on the Study of the Level of Competition within the Nigerian Telecommunications Industry on Wednesday in Lagos.
The transfer comes amid longstanding complaints by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) over the rising dominance of cellular community operators reminiscent of MTN, Airtel, Globacom and T2, particularly within the web provisioning market.
NCC targets evidence-based laws
Maida, who was represented by Mrs Omotayo Mohammed, Head of Competition and Tariff Unit on the NCC stated the examine would supply proof for acceptable regulatory selections and assist establish limitations to efficient competitors.
- “The focus of the commission is therefore on ensuring that market power does not undermine effective competition,” Maida stated.
He defined that important market energy (SMP) standing alone didn’t set up anti-competitive behaviour, noting that market dominance may consequence from sustained funding, innovation and business success.
- Maida highlighted that regulatory interventions have been needed, proportionate and focused at preserving competitors, encouraging funding, innovation, enhancing service high quality and shopper worth.
- He recalled that the fee’s first stakeholder discussion board, held in January, outlined the examine’s goals, scope and proposed methodology, permitting trade individuals to share their views on aggressive circumstances.
According to him, contributions from the preliminary engagement helped refine the examine’s method, establish related market points and strengthen the evidence-gathering course of. Maida defined that the preliminary findings have been largely primarily based on responses to surveys and requests for info circulated to licensees and different related stakeholders.
NCC says small operators are necessary
Speaking with newsmen in her capability, Omotayo Mohammed stated the Commission needs the small operators to exist and function optimally as the massive operators.
- “Being a small operator shouldn’t in itself be an obstacle to thriving within the trade. And so, measures that we’re taking shall be primarily based on what we obtain, the knowledge we obtain, the evaluation of that info, the understanding of market dynamics and the truth that we at all times need shoppers to get the most effective by way of companies, by way of alternative, in addition to to encourage progress within the trade.
- “The smaller players are just as important as the larger players for the NCC,” she stated.
According to Mohammed, research like the present one assist the Commission to receive the proof wanted to make acceptable regulatory selections.
NCC engages PwC for examine
Early this yr, Nairametrics reported that the NCC had engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to perform a complete evaluate of competitors in Nigeria’s telecommunications trade, as issues develop over market dominance and the sustainability of honest competitors.
At the time, the Commission stated the examine was designed to validate present competitors insurance policies towards present market realities, following important structural and technological adjustments throughout the trade.
Several trade gamers, together with the Association of Telecommunications Company of Nigeria (ATCON) President, Mr. Tony Emoekpere, had expressed issues over the dominance of cellular operators within the trade.
Speaking with Nairametrics not too long ago on the declining customers of ISPs, Mr. Emoekpere stated the competitors between the small and the massive gamers was exacerbated the current moves by cellular community operators into Fiber to the Home (FTTH) service, the terrain the place solely core ISPs had been enjoying, is an element.
