The granting of new licenses to operators in three categories has been halted by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).
Licences for Mobile Virtual Network Operators, Interconnect Exchangers, and Value-Added Service Aggregators are the categories.
The commission stated that the temporary suspension is necessary to allow for a comprehensive examination of numerous important areas of market saturation, competition level, and present market dynamics in a public notice that was published on its X account on Friday.
The Nigerian Communications Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, signed the notice titled “Temporary Suspension Of The Issuance Of Communications Licenses In Three Categories.”
In accordance with its authority granted by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 to award and renew licenses, foster fair competition, and advance the communications industry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (The Commissions) hereby notifies all relevant parties of a temporary halt to the issuance of new licenses in the following categories: value-added service aggregator license, interconnect exchange license, and mobile virtual network operator license.
“The commission needs to temporarily suspend operations in order to perform a comprehensive analysis of various critical areas within these categories, such as the existing degree of competition, market saturation, and market dynamics.”
A business that uses the network of a licensed mobile carrier to offer mobile services under its own brand name but lacks a mobile spectrum license is known as a virtual operator.
A network feature known as the Interconnect Exchange License makes it possible for more than two separate connected entities to link with one another in order to expedite the flow of electronic communications.
VAS aggregators are telecommunication services that extend beyond ordinary phone calls and are considered non-core network services.
Internet, directory assistance, paging services, voice mail, prepaid calling card services, call center services, content services, and vehicle tracking are some of these services.
According to the NCC, the suspension is in keeping with its authority to grant licenses, renew licenses, and encourage fair competition under the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003.
