NCC mulls review of licensing fees

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) may jerk up fees paid for its licences to help the Federal Government shore up revenue to finance this year’s budget, it was gathered at the weekend.

Nigeria relies essentially on oil to fund it budget but the outbreak of COVID-19 has made oil prices to fall as low as $20 per barrel. This development has led to the revision of 2020 Budget from N10. 594 trillion signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari to N10. 523 trillion by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) while the government has gone on borrowing spree.

The telecom sector has become one of the cash cows of the government. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the contribution of the information communications technology (ICT) sector to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) has reached 14.07per cent.

NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Garba, who dropped the hint, said the the Commission is reviewing all the fees it collects from licences, including spectrum allocation, sales and installation, and cabling services.

Accoring to him, the NCC plans to review all the fees because the Federal Government needs money to fund the budget.

Garba spoke at a virtual conversation on the socio-economic and political impact of COVID-19 on telecoms and ICT sector in Nigeria organised by the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON).

Aside offering spectrum licences, which are usually bidded for, the NCC issues class licences for sales and installation; repairs and maintenance of telecoms facilities; cabling services; telecentre/cyber café; and public payphone services.

Under its individual licences, the Commission also issues licences for internet services, non-commercial closed user group, sales and installation, unified access service licence, international data access, international gateway, interconnect exchange, metropolitan (fibre) cable network, national carrier, national long distance communications (NLDO), public mobile communications – trunk radio services, international submarine cable infrastructure and landing station services, value added services – aggregator, value added services (VAS), infrastructure sharing and collocation services and automated vehicular tracking service.

Others are open access fibre infrastructure network (INFRACOs), wholesale wireless access service and private network links (PNL).

Aside payment for licences, the mobile network operators pay  operating levy (AOL), which is one per cent of their profit after tax.

Buhari to ONSA, DHQ: secure telecom facilities

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has notified the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and other security agencies to ensure the protection of telecom infrastructure across the country.

The approval of the protection followed the request of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami.

The Department of State Services (DSS), the police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are also to ensure that telecom facilities get tight security from vandals in the interest of the economy.

A statement by the minister’s media aide, Uwa Suleiman, urged telecom companies to reciprocate the gesture by reducing the price of data.

The statement noted that the Nigerian telecommunications industry depends on infrastructure that play a critical role in the smooth delivery of telecoms services.

“These are part of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) because of the important role they play in ensuring security and in the delivery of other essential services,” said Uwa.

Buhari directs security for telecom infrastructure

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and other security agencies to protect telecom infrastructure across the country.

This followed the request of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami.

The Department of State Security, Department of State Service (DSS), the Police and the Civil Defence Corps are also to ensure that telecom infrastructure are critical infrastructure need protection from vandalism.

In a statement the minister’s media aide, Uwa Suleiman, however, called on telecoms firms to reciprocate the gesture by reducing the price of data.

The statement noted that the telecoms industry depends on many infrastructure that play a critical role in the smooth delivery of telecoms services.

“These are part of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) because of the important role they play, in ensuring security and in the delivery of other essential services,” said Uwa.

She explained that the administration identified telecoms infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, to protect them from vandalism and theft.

According to her, the “COVID-19 pandemic has led to a massive migration to digital platforms and has increased the level of importance of Critical National Infrastructure to the sustenance of our economy and the security of the nation.”

Uwa said: “The minister is delighted to inform stakeholders in the telecommunications industry that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved and also directed that necessary physical protective measures be emplaced to safeguard telecommunications infrastructure deployed across the country.

“The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have been notified of Mr President’s directive.

“We are also working towards the reinforcement of these directives through appropriate regulatory instruments.

“Dr Pantami specially appreciates the security institutions, and commends the commitment they have demonstrated in securing these infrastructures.

“The implementation of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) and the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, both unveiled by Mr. President, have repositioned the ICT sector.

“This is evident by the recent ‘Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product Report’ released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which showed that the ICT sector contributed an unprecedented 14.07per cent to the total real GDP in the first quarter of 2020. ”

She expressed confidence that the approval by Buhari would address the challenges of vandalism of Critical National Infrastructures in the country.

It will also go a long way in supporting the implementation of the National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), she added.

The Federal Government strongly urges the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to ensure that they further reduce the price of data and calls for citizens, she said.

Uwa noted that it would reciprocate the gesture of government, and called on the telecom companies to submit a comprehensive list of their facility locations all over the country.

MTN Nigeria opens offer of N100b commercial paper issuance

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has started its Commercial Paper (CP) Issuance, series 1 & 2 of N50 billion each,  under its N100 billion CP issuance programme.

Afrinvest in a note to investors said “We are pleased to inform you that MTN Nigeria Communications Plc (“MTN Nigeria” or “the Company”) is seeking to raise up to N50.0bn in Series 1 and Series 2 Commercial Paper issuance under its N100.0bn Commercial Paper (“CP”) Programme in order to support its working capital and general corporate purposes. This issuance under the CP Programme marks MTN Nigeria’s debut in the domestic debt capital market.

“MTN-NG is the leading telecommunications operator in the largest telecoms market in Africa. The Company is the largest mobile operator and undisputed market leader in Nigeria as measured by total mobile subscribers (c. 70 million), active data users (c. 26.8 million), revenue (almost 50.0% of industry), and profit pool.

MTN-NG is well positioned for the long term with its unmatched investments in its infrastructure – most expansive 2G, 3G, and 4G network, largest fibre network (c. 29,000km) that spans across Nigeria, largest physical and digital distribution platform, and wide range of spectrum holdings – and the exciting market opportunity Nigeria brings. Mobile voice and data subscription will continue to be a major part of consumer spending, largely driven by increased adoption by the young population.

MTN Agrees To Pay Nigerian $1.7Billion Fine

South African telecoms giant MTN said Friday it would pay a $1.7 billion fine to the Nigerian government in a “full and final settlement” over its failure to disconnect unregistered mobile phone users.
The company said in a statement that “MTN Nigeria has agreed to pay a total cash amount of Naira 330 billion over three years.”
Africa’s biggest wireless operator was fined $3.9 billion last year and has since been in negotiations with the government over the payout.
AFP
http://www.punchng.com/telecoms-giant-mtn-agrees-pay-nigerian-1-7-billion-fine/

Twitter User Odinabarbie Charged N5,000 To Follow People Back

Odinabarbie was the real deal on Nigeria Twitter back in 2011. She had this policy of never following anybody back unless you pay her N5,000. That was also the amount she charged for you to become her BB contact. And babe made lots of money.

Her Twitter persona described in three words were - Sexy. Hot. Classy and Odina lived up to that image. However, Twitter suspended her account - http://www.twitter.com/odinabarbie and babe disappeared into thin air. See more pics of her below.

http://www.lailasblog.com/2016/06/meet-nigerian-twitter-user-odinabarbie.html

GLO New Cheap Data Plans & Prices (2GB For N1,000)

The other day I did a thread of most affordable data plans here http://www.nairaland.com/3120544/cost-effective-data-plans-get little did i know GLO was just laughing at me for not including them very well in the post. Well, GLO have unleashed brand new data plans at extremely affordable prices. This is surely going to make the competition very interesting to watch.

The new Data plans and prices are:
2Gb for N1,000
6gb for N2,000
10Gb for N2,500
12Gb for N3,000
18Gb for N4,000
24Gb for N5,000
48Gb for N8,000
Dial *777# to subscribe.

If you recall, MTN offered 10GB for N5,000, now you get 24Gb for that same amount with GLO. Note that all tplans last for 30Days and work on all devices. 

MTN, 12 Telcos Face N5m Fine Over Unsolicited SMS, Calls

igerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to address complaints of subscribers who have been inundated with unsolicited telemarketing, short message service (SMS) and voice calls by mobile network operators with a warning that it shall fine any operator found culpable with a fine N5 million and N500,000 daily as long as the contravention persists.
LEADERSHIP Sunday learnt that the Commission in a ‘New Direction,’ issued to 13 mobile operators by the legal and regulatory department of NCC, plans to sanction any network that refuses to implement it on or before June 30, 2016, the shortcode of 2442 for subscribers to opt-in to the “Do Not Disturb” (DND) database restricting unsolicited marketing messages.
NCC in a letter dated April 19, 2016 warned MTN, Airtel, Globacom, Etisalat, Smile, Natcoms (Ntel), Visafone, Starcomms, Multilinks, Gamjitel, Danjay Telecoms, Gicell Wireless Ltd and Megatech Engineering Ltd that they should implement the DND restricting telemarketing their MSISDNs including the use of web-based solutions as opt-out measures.

The regulator said it shall be mandatory for mobile operators to create sufficient awareness to its subscribers on the existence of the DND on their networks; that they shall also comply with the quarterly and reporting template prescribed by the NCC to ensure feedback and compliance.
NCC warned operators that generated SMS shall comply with the 8am to 8pm stipulation (12 hour period) for sending SMS to subscribers and that the opt-in process shall be free. It said operated generated SMS is excluded from the DND list in as much as such messages are in conformity with NCC’s directive on timing and regularity and do not constitute a nuisance to subscribers and the subscribers shall have right to partial or full DND implementation.
NCC said the ‘New Direction’ issued pursuant to Section 53 of the Nigerian Communications Act follows the inundation of complaints by subscribers to its office about menace of unsolicited text messages and voice calls from mobile operators which have impacted negatively on consumer quality service in the telecom industry.
NCC said it was aware through its monitoring activities that some operators have set up DND facility on their network but the awareness by subscribers of the facility is very minimal and unsatisfactory. The menace of unsolicited texts and calls led NCC a fortnight ago to regulate the Value Added Services (VAS) market with the issuance of draft regulation.
Meanwhile, Wireless Application Service Providers of Nigeria Ltd (WASPAN) said every month all operators shall broadcast how to get on the DND portal to their subscribers. At the end of each quarter, subscribers will be required to renew their DND status by sending ‘STOP’ to short codes on the network.
http://leadership.ng/news/524648/mtn-12-telcos-face-n5m-fine-unsolicited-sms-calls

MTN Foundation Audiometric Assessment Exercise Continues in Anambra, Lagos and Bauchi for the Hearing Aid Support Project

The audiometric assessment phase for the Hearing Aid Support Project of the MTN Foundation continued last week in three other states namely Anambra, Lagos and Bauchi after it had been flagged off last week in Benue, Akwa Ibom and Katsina. The second phase of the exercise enjoyed massive participation amongst people of the 3 states and over 2,000 beneficiaries turned out at the various locations to undergo audiometric assessments which were carried out by certified audiologists, ENT nurses and ENT Doctors to determine final successful beneficiaries.

On completion of the assessment, the programming of hearing aids devices in line with various test results will begin in earnest with the actual distribution of hearing aids to successful beneficiaries sometime in May, 2016.

Below are more pictures from the assessment exercise...

The Hearing Aid Support Project is one of the many MTNF programs that provide appliances to disabled persons. Others are the MTNF Disability Support Project which provides aids and appliances to persons with disabilities across the country and the MTNF EyeRis projects which restores sight to persons with sight defects.

NTEL Begins With Free Unlimited Data For 3 Months

Ntel 0804, Nigeria's latest telecoms firm has rolled out 4G LTE services in Lagos and Abuja.

Mr Kumar Abass, the Chief Executive Officer of ntel, said the operation will come with bumper offers for early bird pioneers and data users.

“ntel, Nigeria’s 5th mobile network operator start of operation is the culmination of its journey from acquiring the old Nitel/Mtel assets.

“The first 100,000 to redeem and activate their ntel SIMs will get free on-net calls for life, while data subscribers will get 3-months unlimited data usage.”

He said that ntel had established the Pioneers Club to reward early bird joiners to its network and those who had reserved their numbers, and who subsequently activated its SIM this month.

The ntel chief executive said the company’s 4G/LTE-Advanced technology built on the 900/1800 MHz spectrum would deliver unbeatable and game changing customer experience of high-speed internet access up to 230Mbps.

Abass said that mobile coverage would grow steadily and strongly over the next four to six weeks across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. 

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/04/ntel-nigeria-begins-with-free-unlimited.html