NCC May Withdraw 100 Telecoms Licences

12th Mar 2008

For alleged inactivity and remaining comatose long after they were permitted to operate in Nigeria, licences of 100 telecommunications companies may be withdrawn by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The licences cover such vast areas as Private Network Link (PNL), Unified Access Licence, Metropolitan fibre cable network, International Data Access (IDA), Interconnect Exchanges, Public Mobile Communications Trunk Radio Services, National Long Distance Operations, Fixed Wireless Access, Local Exchange Operators, Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), among others.

The Guardian learnt that the NCC based its position to de-list the companies on Chapters IV and V of the NCC Act of 2003. Section 34(1) of the Act which states that: "The NCC may, from time to time, make written declarations that an individual licence, or a classification of individual licences, or a class licence is subject to such terms and conditions, or enjoys such benefits, as the commission deems fit." Section 37(1) is specific about such declaration if any licencee fails to fulfil licence obligations which include but are not limited to roll out of services within the stipulated time frame, payment of operating licence fees, and geographical spread among others, that licence may be de-registered. The section says "the commission may at any time amend, modify, vary or revoke any licence condition or a declaration regarding a licence." By provisions of this section, Bourdex Telecoms Limited, Cell communications Limited and Independent Telephone Network (ITN) Limited have had their names de-listed by the NCC.

Source: Guardian

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