NCC reviews MVNO business rules as telecom regulator issues 46 licences

THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced a review of its Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) business rules as part of efforts to strengthen competition, encourage innovation and expand access to telecommunications services across the country.

Speaking on Thursday at a stakeholders’ forum on the MVNO business rules in Abuja, Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said the review is aimed at enhancing the regulatory framework governing MVNOs while fostering a more competitive and inclusive telecommunications sector. Maida was represented by the commission’s Director of Licensing and Authorisation, Mr Usman Mamman.

He said the business rules were introduced to provide greater clarity on licensing requirements, define the operational responsibilities of MVNOs and their relationships with host mobile network operators (MNOs), while also protecting consumers and maintaining market integrity.

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According to Maida, the commission expects full compliance from operators and will continue to enforce the regulatory guidelines to ensure the orderly development of the industry.

He noted that the MVNO framework was developed after years of consultations with industry stakeholders and was designed to support different business models and technical capacities. Under the framework, licensed MVNOs are allowed to offer mobile communication services by using the infrastructure of existing MNOs without owning radio spectrum or building nationwide radio access networks.

The NCC chief disclosed that the commission has issued 46 MVNO licences across the five operational tiers. The approvals comprise one Tier 1 licence, 11 Tier 2 licences, 16 Tier 3 licences, seven Tier 4 licences and 11 Tier 5 licences.

Earlier, the NCC’s Head of Legal and Regulatory Services, Chizua Whyte, said the draft business rules were prepared to establish a clear operational framework for MVNOs. She noted that the entry of MVNOs into the market presents opportunities to deepen competition, drive innovation, encourage service differentiation and widen consumer choice.

Whyte said the stakeholders’ forum was convened to obtain industry feedback before the business rules would be finalised.

Representing industry operators, President of the Association of Mobile Virtual Network Operators of Nigeria (AMVON), Mr Ken Nwabueze, urged the NCC to address concerns relating to revenue-sharing arrangements between MVNOs and host operators, while calling on the regulator to make effective enforcement a central part of the framework.