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Telecom

NCC to Review Numbering Plan- EVC

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has started the process of reviewing existing Numbering Plan (NP) in the telecoms sector, according to Prof Umar Dambatta, executive vice chairman/CEO, NCC.

 

Dambatta, said it is in the spirit of ensuring that the telecoms ecosystem is regulated in tandem with the demand of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) era.

 

He spoke at the 2019 Information Communication Technology and Telecommunication (ICTEL) Exhibition organised by the Lagos Chmaber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)  at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

 

The event had: Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) – The Nigerian Story as theme.

 

Dambatta said based on recent developments in the global telecommunications industry, such as man-to-machine (M2M) communications,  Internet of Things (loT), Over the Top (OTT) and others,  and other services made possible by fourth-generation, the futuristic 5G/6G technologies, the NCC has considered it important for the numbering plan in the country to be reviewed.

 

He said: “The development of the new NNP therefore, will help to provide numbers that will satisfy the needs of the projected 500 million Nigerians to be connected and about 1 billion globally-interconnected machines and devices by 2050.”

 

Dambatta said the measure would also “promote efficiency in the allocation of  this scarce national resource; promote competition among service providers; eliminate the risk of running short of all categories of numbers; facilitate the introduction and development of new and above all, encourage growth of the innovative services and telecommunications sector,” as well as increase job creation and contribute to National Gross Domestic Product (GDP), among others.

 

The NCC chief pointed out that NP is very key to telecoms services for proper identification of devices and services, saying that the regulator is reviewing the existing National Numbering Plan (NNP) with the objective of developing a new NNP that is robust, futuristic and adaptable to address the numbering needs of the country taking into account the country’s growing population.

 

He said  new services have emerged in the country’s  digital space, stating that there is need to integrate such services into the telecoms environment.

 

“Also, people are now interested in having all their communication services conveyed by a single device. Services such as voice, data, short messaging services (SMS), television programmes, banking services, etc.are now being received via a handheld mobile device.”

 

According to him, this convergence of services requires upgrade and adopting the NP to accommodate the new habits and culture.   Dambatta said the Commission is upgrading, expanding and re-designing the numbering system in order to ensure the country derives the maximum benefit from this scarce resource.

 

He said the country is at the forefront of adopting latest technologies engendered by effective regulation of the industry by the NCC.

 

“It feels good to state that our Nigerian story in the 4IR is an exciting one but more needs to be done in order for us to properly harness all these new technologies to the advantage of our country.

 

All we need at this stage as a nation, is to join hands together to support the building of more robust telecom infrastructure that will further helP to deepen the nation’s broadband penetration beyond its current figare of 33 per cent towards supporting the explosion of digital activities to be witnessed as we immerse ourselves into the realities of the 4IR w

 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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Telecom

NCC, REA Move to Power Telecoms with Renewable Energy

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have teamed up to develop an initiative that will reduce the $350 million annual spending on diesel by telecom operators in Nigeria.

NCC, REA Move to Power Telecoms with Renewable Energy

According to a press statement  by Nnenna Ukoha, acting had of Public Affairs, NCC, this collaboration will focus on deploying renewable energy solutions to support telecom infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

To that end, the two agencies have inaugurated what they called NCC–REA Collaboration Committee, aimed at deploying renewable energy solutions to power telecom infrastructure across the country.

According to the State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2025 by the Africa Finance Corporation, telecom operators in Nigeria consume more than 40 million litres of diesel every month, costing them over $350 million annually.

The statement read, “The Nigerian Communications Commission has formally inaugurated the NCC–REA Collaboration Committee, marking a pivotal step towards advancing Nigeria’s digital and energy inclusion objectives by developing modalities for the deployment of renewable energy to support telecom infrastructure in Nigeria.”

The inauguration ceremony, held on Friday, at the NCC Headquarters in Abuja, was presided over by Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, NCC.

Maida was joined by Abba Aliyu, managing director of the REA, along with senior executives and committee members from both organisations.

Speaking at the event, Maida described the collaboration as a timely and strategic alignment of national priorities.

He noted that bridging the connectivity and power gaps in rural areas remains critical for Nigeria’s growth and development.

He highlighted that the demand for digital services and connected communities creates an opportunity for renewable energy to play a crucial role.

Maida further emphasised that the partnership goes beyond infrastructure; it is aimed at driving inclusion, reducing inequalities, and fostering shared prosperity.

“Whether it is powering a base station or enabling a child to access digital learning, this partnership has the potential to transform realities and bring opportunity closer to the people.

“This initiative is about more than infrastructure, it is about driving inclusion, bridging inequalities and creating the conditions for shared prosperity,” he was quoted in the statement.

He also noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to ensure no community is left behind in Nigeria’s energy and digital transformation.

Aliyu, representing REA, expressed confidence in the transformative potential of the collaboration.

“This partnership will unlock sustainable development opportunities for millions of Nigerians, especially those in areas lacking traditional infrastructure,” he said.

He further emphasised that the collaboration would address both energy and connectivity gaps, benefiting those who are currently underserved.

The newly established NCC-REA Collaboration Committee will work to co-develop and implement integrated solutions that leverage renewable energy to power telecom sites.

The statement noted that the committee will also focus on sharing geospatial data to improve planning, aligning funding frameworks, and tracking the socio-economic impact of the project through clear performance indicators.

 


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NCC Approves MTN, 9Mobile Roaming Collaboration Deal

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MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has announced the execution of a national roaming agreement with Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (9Mobile), a move that signals a major milestone in Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape.

NCC Approves MTN, 9Mobile Roaming Collaboration Deal

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry’s regulatory authority, has approved the three-year deal, which allows 9Mobile subscribers to roam seamlessly on MTN Nigeria’s extensive network infrastructure across the country.

The agreement, effective immediately, will significantly enhance connectivity and user experience for 9Mobile customers, particularly in areas where its network coverage is limited.

By leveraging MTN’s expansive infrastructure, 9Mobile can now offer improved service reach and reliability, without duplicating capital-intensive investments in network deployment.

In a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public, MTN Nigeria described the arrangement as a strategic collaboration that underscores its leadership in fostering innovation, industry cooperation, and operational efficiency.

The company emphasized that the initiative aligns with the NCC’s broader objective of promoting infrastructure sharing to improve telecommunications services nationwide.

“This agreement represents a significant step in our commitment to driving industry collaboration, improving customer experience, and supporting the NCC’s vision of a fully connected Nigeria,” said Karl Toriola, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria.

“Delivering the scale required for telecommunications services in Nigeria requires strong collaboration between the private sector, public sector, and long-term investors. This agreement demonstrates what we can achieve when we collaborate, and we are delighted to announce it today after months of groundwork.”The national roaming deal enables subscribers from 9Mobile to access voice and data services through MTN’s network in areas where the former lacks adequate coverage.

This marks the first such large-scale, cross-network roaming arrangement between two major operators in Nigeria, setting a precedent for future cooperative efforts in the telecom industry.

MTN Nigeria highlighted that the agreement contributes to more effective use of telecommunications resources, reduces infrastructure duplication, and accelerates the expansion of mobile broadband access across underserved regions.

It also supports both operators’ sustainability objectives by maximizing existing investments and reducing the environmental impact of deploying overlapping network facilities.

“This strategic collaboration is yet another first in the country by MTN Nigeria and marks a significant milestone for the sustainability of the telecommunications industry,” the company stated.

“By enabling national roaming, MTN Nigeria is contributing to a more effective use of telecommunications resources and accelerating efforts to expand connectivity across the country.”

The agreement is expected to benefit not just subscribers and operators but also regulators and investors who have consistently advocated for policies that promote shared infrastructure and efficient capital utilization in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Uto Ukpanah,  company secretary, MTN Nigeria, affirmed the company’s ongoing dedication to initiatives that create shared value.

“MTN remains committed to fostering innovation and partnerships that create sustainable value for all stakeholders while promoting digital and financial inclusion nationwide,” she noted.

With the successful rollout of this agreement, the telecoms industry is expected to see improved service delivery and expanded access to quality mobile services, especially in rural and semi-urban communities. The collaboration sets a benchmark for future inter-operator partnerships and reinforces the importance of regulatory support in advancing national connectivity goals.

 

 

 

 


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Don’t Visit Telecom Centers for Now — ALTON Warns of SIM Service Downtime

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Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has announced a temporary disruption in SIM-related services across all mobile networks in the country.

The disruption, according to a statement on Wednesday, follows a directive from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), mandating mobile network operators (MNOs) to migrate to a new identity verification platform.

ALTON said the transition had triggered unforeseen technical challenges, affecting services such as SIM registration, replacement, and mobile number portability.

“While the new platform is intended to enhance the integrity and efficiency of identity management in Nigeria, unfortunately, the transition has temporarily impacted service delivery,” the association stated.

It added that MNOs would not be able to support SIM swaps, new activations, and related services until the issues are resolved.

ALTON noted that its members are working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other stakeholders to restore normalcy.

The association appealed for public understanding and urged subscribers to delay visits to service centers for SIM-related matters.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and will continue to provide timely updates,” the statement read.

ALTON reaffirmed its commitment to delivering secure and quality telecommunications services to Nigerians.


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