Connect with us

Telecommunications

Gambia Seeks to Partner With NCC to Enhance Success of Its Telecommunications Industry

Gambia’s Minister of communications and Digital economy Ousman Bah has commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for its remarkable achievement so far in the telecoms industry and is, therefore seeking a partnership.

Published

on

Telecoms

Gambia’s Minister of communications and Digital economy Ousman Bah has commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for its remarkable achievement so far in the telecoms industry and is, therefore seeking a partnership.

He disclosed this at Abuja during the weekend when he paid a visit to the NCC with a team of Gambian delegation.

The Minister stated that the Nigerian telecoms industry has become a reference point and is therefore seeking to partner with the NCC to replicate the same success in Gambia.

He further stated that the current telecommunications statistics are proof that Nigeria is achieving its digitalization plans. 

Director of Legal and Regulatory Services at NCC Josephine Amuwa, who received the minister on behalf of Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, highlighted the impact of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.

She said the NCA Act of 2003 empowers the Commission to effectively carry out its regulatory mandate, one of which is to create an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country.

She, therefore, urged the Gambian delegation to check out the NCC’s website, and carefully study the regulatory guidelines on all necessary matters.

Mrs. Josephine Amuwa explained that the guidelines give full effect to the provisions and administration of the NCA 2003.

Investors King understands that in 2021, Nigeria’s telecoms industry recorded N3.246 trillion in revenue with a total operating cost of N1.7 trillion despite operating in an unfriendly environment.

In 2022, the industry continued on its growth trajectory with a significant contribution to Nigeria’s GDP. The industry grew by 3.11 percent in the first quarter of 2022, the highest quarterly growth recorded in 7 years. In Q2 of 2022, the sector attracted a total of $153.5 million in capital.

According to the NCC boss Prof. Umar Danbatta, Nigeria’s Telecoms industry has contributed over $70 billion to the nation’s economy, creating thousands of jobs in the public and private sectors.

Continue Reading
Comments

Telecommunications

NCC Files Copyright Infringement Charges Against MTN Nigeria and Others

Published

on

Karl O Toriola - Investorsking.com

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has taken legal action against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. and four individuals, including its Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, over alleged copyright infringement.

The charges, filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, revolve around the unauthorized use of musical works belonging to artist Maleke Idowu Moye.

According to the NCC, the defendants are accused of offering for sale, selling, and trading musical works of Maleke without his consent between 2010 and 2017. These works were allegedly used as Caller Ring Back Tunes without proper authorization.

The musical pieces in question include popular tracks such as “911,” “Minimini-wanawana,” and “Stop racism,” among others.

The commission further alleges that the defendants distributed these musical works to subscribers without authorization, infringing upon the rights of the artist.

The charges are based on provisions of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

As the case awaits assignment to a judge and a fixed date for mention, it marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to uphold copyright protection in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

This legal action underscores the NCC’s commitment to safeguarding the intellectual property rights of artists and creators within the country.

MTN Nigeria, a major player in the telecommunications industry, now faces a legal battle that could have broader implications for how intellectual property rights are respected and enforced within Nigeria’s digital landscape.

Continue Reading

Telecommunications

MTN’s MoMo Sees 32.2% Surge in Transaction Volumes

Published

on

MTN Nigeria - Investors King

MTN Group’s mobile money platform, MoMo, has experienced a 32.2% surge in transaction volumes.

With 72.5 million active users, MoMo continues to solidify its position as a leading fintech service provider in Africa, tapping into the continent’s burgeoning mobile banking sector.

The company’s success underscores the growing trend of Africa’s young and tech-savvy population embracing mobile technology to address financial needs.

Mobile phones are increasingly becoming a tool for bridging gaps in services, particularly in banking, presenting a lucrative opportunity for wireless carriers like MTN to capitalize on the burgeoning fintech market.

MTN’s achievement comes as it finalizes a deal with Mastercard Inc., valuing its fintech business at an impressive $5.2 billion.

This strategic partnership further enhances MTN’s position in the digital finance space, positioning it for continued growth and innovation.

However, MTN is not alone in its fintech endeavors. Rivals such as Airtel Africa Plc, Safaricom Plc, and Vodacom Group Ltd. are also making strides in digital transformation, with plans to separate and monetize their fintech businesses in the long term.

Airtel Africa, for instance, is reportedly considering an IPO for its mobile money unit, indicating the high stakes and intense competition within the sector.

Despite the remarkable success in its fintech ventures, MTN faced challenges in its core telecommunications business, with service revenue growth slowing to 6.8%.

Inflation and currency devaluation in key markets, particularly Nigeria, impacted profitability, highlighting the complexities of operating in diverse African markets.

As MTN continues to expand its fintech footprint and invest in infrastructure to enhance connectivity across the continent, it remains poised to capitalize on the immense potential of Africa’s digital economy.

Continue Reading

Telecommunications

Telecom Operators Grapple with Rising Diesel Costs, Spending Hits N50.28 Billion

Published

on

Telecommunications - Investors King

As diesel prices continue to soar, Nigeria’s telecom operators are facing mounting challenges with expenditure on fuel hitting N50.28 billion in February.

This represents a 50.20 percent increase from the N33.48 billion spent in the same period last year, reflecting the growing financial burden imposed by escalating fuel costs on the sector.

Diesel serves as a critical component in powering telecom infrastructure, including base stations, which heavily rely on generators due to the country’s unreliable grid electricity.

Industry estimates suggest that operators consume an average of 40 million liters of diesel per month to sustain telecom sites, with prices reaching N1,257.06 per liter in February 2024.

The reliance on diesel for powering essential infrastructure has become increasingly unsustainable, threatening the sector’s operational viability.

Gbenga Adebayo, president of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), emphasized the adverse impact of diesel costs on the industry’s sustainability, noting that infrastructure companies bear the brunt of these expenses.

Adebayo highlighted the urgent need for new pricing regimes to address the widening gap between production costs and current telecom service prices.

While investments in alternative energy sources such as solar power present opportunities for mitigating diesel reliance, challenges such as intermittent supply and vulnerability to theft underscore the complexity of the situation.

The escalating diesel costs have prompted telecom operators to advocate for adjustments in service pricing to ensure the sector’s long-term viability.

As the industry grapples with these challenges, stakeholders are calling for collaborative efforts to address the root causes of the rising fuel expenses and safeguard Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure.

Continue Reading
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending