NCC to Modernise Rules for AI, 5G, Digital Platforms

NCC to Modernise Rules for AI, 5G, Digital Platforms

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has presented a comprehensive report on its 2024 Regulatory Impact Assessment, aimed at aligning existing telecom regulations with the fast-evolving technology landscape.

The assessment focused on critical areas within the telecoms sector, including licensing, SIM registration, subscriber management, spectrum trading, enforcement procedures, and infrastructure sharing.

It was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulations, identify outdated provisions, and propose updates that reflect current technological and market realities.

“This is an innovation in the Commission’s rule-making process and another avenue for participatory regulatory engagement with all stakeholders,” Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, said in a presentation on Thursday.

The hybrid and in-person gathering included telecom operators, policy experts, civil society groups, and consumer representatives. Maida explained that the RIA was structured around three strategic pillars: the consumer, the market, and the government, elements he described as the backbone of the Commission’s regulatory direction.

On the consumer front, Maida stated that the NCC’s ultimate goal is to improve end-user satisfaction and quality of experience. “It goes without saying that the commission places consumers at the centre of its regulatory priorities,” he said.

The RIA examined how the subsidiary legislations affect consumer protection and experience, while also assessing their impact on operators, particularly regarding barriers to entry, fair competition, and efficient resource utilization.

“This evaluation is crucial for determining how adaptable and agile our regulations are in promoting competition, lowering entry barriers, and ensuring effective use of scarce resources,” he said.