NCC, PwC study voice, data service competition in telecoms

*The Nigerian Communications Commission confirms it has hired PricewaterHouseCoopers, a consulting firm, to conduct an independent, data-driven study on the level of competition in telecoms towards understanding market dynamics across infrastructure, services, pricing, and emerging segments in the ecosystem

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has stated it engaged PricewaterHouseCoopers (PwC), a consulting firm, to conduct an independent, data-driven study on the level of competition in the industry, based on the firm’s service advisory expertise across jurisdictions.

ConsumerConnect reports the telecoms sector regulatory Commission said PwC would understudy telecoms competition level in regard to voice and data services the country’s entire digital space.

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Mrs. Omotayo Mohammed, Head of Competition and Tariff at NCC, said this in her opening remarks delivered at the Stakeholders’ Forum on the Study of the Level of Competition in the Nigerian Telecoms Industry, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in Ikeja, Lagos.

Underlining the global competencies of the consulting firm, Mrs. Mohammed affirmed PwC brings to this critical engagement deep expertise in competition economics, market assessment, and regulatory advisory.

She also noted that PwC comes with a strong record track record of delivering robust and credible assessments for regulators across multiple jurisdictions.

The engagement, Mohammed stated, reflected the NCC’s emphasis on methodological rigour, analytical independence, and alignment with international best practice in competition and economic analysis.

In terms of the core goal objective of the study, the NCC Head of Competition and Tariff clarified that the study of the competition level in Nigerian telecommunications ecosystem is not about naming winners or losers.

She further stressed that it is about understanding market dynamics as they truly are, across infrastructure, services, pricing, and emerging segments, identifying any structural or behavioural concerns.

PwC’s terms of reference cum scope of study 

Outlining some details of the firm’s assignment, the telecoms regulator said in order to attain the core objective of the exercise, it had designed the study to capture both supply-side and demand-side dimensions of the market.

According to Mohammed, on the supply side, PwC will assess market structure, levels of concentration, pricing behaviour, access to essential facilities, barriers to entry and expansion, and the intensity of competitive rivalry in the telecoms industry.

On the demand side, it will examine consumer usage patterns, switching behaviour, affordability, service quality, and the extent to which consumers are able to exercise informed choice.

Mrs. Mohammed said the robustness of the study’s outcomes will depend significantly on the quality of the data that underpins the analysis.

According to the Commission, engagement of PwC for the study project is coming after about 13 years the Commission had embarked on such a study.

Besides, the Commission’s subsequent approval of a 50 percent tariff adjustments for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) early 2025 has thrown up fresh development in market dynamics in the telecoms industry.

The NCC Head of Competition and Tariff as well affirmed that the Nigerian telecoms market has evolved significantly over the past years.

She said that revenue models had shifted, investment patterns have changed, and new forms of market interaction have evolved in the past years.

Core objective of study of competition level in telecommunications

As the country’s telecoms market evolves, Mrs. Mohammed stated: “We are witnessing a rapid technological change, evolving consumer expectations and usage patterns, rising investment costs, and heightened competitive pressures.

“Concurrently, concerns around barriers to entry, market concentration, sustainability of smaller players, and quality of service continue to warrant careful consideration.”

“These dynamics highlight the importance of continuous validation of competition policy assumptions against current market evidence,” noted she.

Mohammed: NCC committed to conducive environment, level-playing field for licensees

Underlining the strategic importance of the telecoms sector to the Nigerian economy, Mrs. Mohammed urged the need for commitment of industry stakeholders to the industry that has become the “backbone” of the Nigeria Digital Economy.

She also stated: “The Commission remains committed to its responsibility to continuously provide a conducive environment and level-playing field for the effective interplay of factors that would engender a sustained market development and growth.”

The top official of NCC said the telecoms regulator would also ensure the provision of qualitative and efficient services to telecommunications consumers across Nigeria.

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