TTTR 2023: NCC engages stakeholders in Bayelsa, highlights milestones in telecoms

*Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, discloses the telecoms sector regulator is currently reviewing the scope and structure of its extant licences to make them more robust and accommodate some new industry trends in the country’s ecosystem

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in keeping with its mandate to employ robust stakeholders’ engagements in the development of the country’s telecoms ecosystem, has organised a two-day 2023 ‘Talk-To-The-Regulator’ (TTTR) Forum, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

ConsumerConnect reports Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, FNSE, FRAES, FAEng, FNIEE, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, in his Keynote Speech at the 2023 Forum, said the telecoms regulatory Commission had continued to create opportunities to interact with its licencees on industry issues and new trends via stakeholder fora.

Danbatta noted this forum is essential, and is being organised with a view to gathering relevant information that would further advance the development of the industry.

He also said that the TTTR would also help in improving regulations and service delivery to telecoms consumers in Nigeria.

According to him, the TTTR Forum in Yenagoa was originally scheduled to hold 2022, but was postponed due to the dreadful flood disaster that hit the South-South state, and some other ones in the past year.

Danbatta further said: “The Commission, therefore, takes this opportunity to commiserate with the people of Bayelsa State and the entire nation on the worst flood disaster recorded in the history of the nation.

‘We pray that such natural

disaster shall not plaque our dear nation again, and equally believe that the state has made adequate preparations for any future occurrences.”

Some milestones recorded in telecoms industry

In highlighting some of the latest achievements of the important sector of the economy, the NCC EVC/CEO stated that the telecoms industry has witnessed milestones in more ways than one.

He noted these include the rapid growth in technology, which is redefining service delivery, and creating wide and high expectations from all stakeholders.

“To keep up to date with developments in the industry, the Commission has equally taken measures to improve regulations to accommodate the rapid and continuous development.”

According to Danbatta, some of the interventions and responses of the Commission include but are not limited to facilitating the Roll-Out of 5G Service provision, and  introduction of Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licence to bridge the gap between unserved and underserved areas in the Nigerian telecoms ecosystem.

The Executive Vice-Chairman as well disclosed the Commission is currently reviewing the scope and structure of its

existing licences to make them more robust and to accommodate some of the identified new industry trends.

“In line with the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020–2025), the NCC is providing industry leadership to facilitate the achievement of 90% Broadband penetration by year 2025, and well above 50% at the end of 2023,” said he.

The EVC/CEO also revealed there over I50 million Nigerian consumers, who now access the Internet, while 80 million of them can access high speed in the West African country.

Danbatta, while welcoming the Commission’s licensees to  the forum in Bayelsa State, said that he was hopeful the two-day would discuss and identify the measures necessary to improve investment and service delivery.

He stated: “I, therefore, appeal to you all to feel free to ask questions, provide feedback and

proffer possible solutions that would address the concerns that might be raised

during the interactive sessions.”

About ‘Talk-To-The Regulator’ Forum

The Commission has described the TTTR as a common platform for non-discriminatory

interaction on a one-on-one basis, between the licensees and the Regulator on several industry issues, pertinent to the licensees and of national interest.

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