5G Networks: Stakeholders committed to affordable telecoms services to Nigerians ─NCC

*The Nigerian Communications Commission, at the recent 2023 ‘Talk To The Regulator’ Forum held in Bayelsa State, reassures telecoms consumers the industry stakeholders are committed to ensuring availability, accessibility and affordability of telecommunications services to all Nigerians

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
In regard to its licensing of the 5G networks for improved telecoms services in the ecosystem, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed the Commission’s industry stakeholders would continue to make efforts ensuring the availability, accessibility and
affordability of telecommunications services to all Nigerian consumers.

ConsumerConnect reports Ms. Venny Eze, Zonal Controller at NCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Office, stated this in her welcome address during the recent 2023 ‘Talk To The Regulator’ (TTTR) Forum, the telecoms regulatory Commission’s Annual Consultative Forum with Licencees, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

Eze said the forum for the selected Licencees in the South-South zone of the country was particularly of note, as it was coming on the heels of the licensing of 5G technology.

The Zonal Controller of NCC also acknowledged the efforts of the industry stakeholders at ensuring the availability, accessibility and
affordability of telecoms services to all Nigerians.

She further noted: “This event is the second in the series of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s
engagement with licencees, in the South-South, having held a similar forum, in Port Harcourt, for the licencees in the South-East and the South-South geopolitical zones in
2021, with a brief hiatus in 2022, due to unforeseen circumstances.”

According to Eze, the 2023 TTTR Forums in Bayelsa State “provides a veritable platform for interaction between the regulator and
the licensees, on one hand, and other industry stakeholders, on the other hand.

“It is a rare occasion that would enable the Commission to identify the challenges confronting the industry from the pragmatic point of view of the industry players.”

Objectives of TTTR Forum 
As regards the overarching objectives of the stakeholders’ forum, the NCC Port Harcourt Zonal Controller said the licencees in attendance were expected to engage the telecoms sector regulator through robust discussions, with a view to identifying the various challenges affecting their operations.

They would also make suggestions requiring regulatory interventions, within the mandate of the Commission, said she.

Eze said: “This forum, would afford the Licencees an opportunity to be educated on topical issues of concern, which would help them comply with the licencing terms and conditions, in the various licence categories.”

The Zonal Controller as well expressed the Commission’s gratitude to the Licencees from the South-South Zone for honouring the NCC invitation to participate in the Yenagoa Edition of the 2023 ‘Talk to The Regulator’ Forum this year.

Eze urged the stakeholders to take the opportunity provided by the TTTR Forum to engage in robust discussions, while proffering solutions to certain topical issues of concern that would be raised in the course of the engagement.

“NCC values views, contributions of stakeholders to telecoms development -Zonal Controller
Eze also restated how the NCC values the views and contributions of its stakeholders in the Nigerian telecoms sector.

“It is our sincere hope that the views and contributions that would arise from this session would aid the Commission in the development and advancement of the telecommunications industry,” added the Port Harcourt Zonal Controller of NCC.