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NIGERIAN COMMUNICATION COMMISSION ROLLS OUT 2009 RULES FOR TELECOMMUNICATION OPERATORS

TO ensure effective services in the telecoms industry of the country this year, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has released fresh guidelines for operations. Part of the new guidelines is the setting up of a public inquiry, which will seek to resolve such issues as the problems of interconnectivity of various networks operating in the country.

The Vice Chairman of the NCC, Ernest Ndukwe said at the Commission's headquarters in Abuja that the inquiry set up emerged from the requirements of the commission to promote a forum where industry and other stakeholders gather and consult for the purpose of issuing relevant guidelines in accordance with Section 71 of the Nigerian Communications Act. He said: "Our focus for 2009 is to administer and monitor closely a Performance Management Programme to ensure that operating companies maintain minimum performance levels jointly agreed between the GSM operators, consumer representatives and NCC that are consistent with world class standards. This will take the form of monthly self-reporting on a limited set of critical performance metrices."

He explained that the metrices would be based on actual recorded measurements of performance on the networks rather than user perception, adding that a penalty scheme would be introduced based on level of non-compliance and persistent month-over-month non-compliance and/or non-compliance resulting from promotional activity or new product introduction Ndukwe stressed that promotions or new service introductions must be discontinued within one month if they result in performance degradation below benchmark levels. "Such promotions may subsequently be re-introduced, but further degradation will be treated as persistent non-compliance for purpose of determining applicable penalties.

"Reports will be due to NCC within 15 days of month-end, otherwise a penalty will be applied for each day metric report is delayed; also penalties will apply for erroneous reports. "Reports will be maintained as public records and published on NCC website. However, the criteria for performance compliance will be pre-defined with specific reporting guidelines such as cable cuts, generator theft, security situations among others," he said. Following this inquiry, NCC will publish performance management guidelines for the industry with notice to fully implement within 90 days.

He said that quality of service in 2008 was not impressive, as there was poor performance of the nation's telecommunications networks. But this year he said, the operators must move forward while the key performance indicators might be reviewed downward or left at its existing level. According to Ndukwe, a situation in which questions were raised as to whether Nigerians are now tied to an industry largely driven by major investors known for high tariff rates and poor service would not be allowed this year.

He added: "While it is right to ask questions such as this, the Nigerian public requires more understanding of the dynamics of the industry in order to better understand why the current situation exists and provide meaningful input to guide the future development of this critical sector of our economy, which is yet in its infancy. "Indeed, we should start with the direct drivers of the quality of service of our communications networks before addressing the macro issues affecting the industry at large."

However, when completed, the document developed from the body would make it mandatory for all telecommunications operators, including Global System of Mobil (GSM) Communications, fixed wireless, broadband Internet and leased line service providers among others to improve the quality of their services and give other operators access to their networks.