The Nigerian Communications Commission has intensified its regulatory oversight of the mobile virtual network operator subsector, granting 46 licences while introducing new operational guidelines to resolve longstanding industry bottlenecks.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, announced the development at a public inquiry on the draft MVNO Business Rules held in Abuja, describing the move as pivotal to deepening competition and expanding telecom access nationwide.
Represented by the Director of Licensing and Authorisation, Mr Usman Maman, Maida explained that the proposed framework would clarify operational procedures, delineate responsibilities among operators, and strengthen commercial relationships between MVNOs and host Mobile Network Operators.
The rules address onboarding and integration processes, hosting arrangements, interconnection protocols, numbering resources, SIM and eSIM management, quality of service standards, infrastructure access, consumer protection mechanisms, and dispute resolution procedures.
Maida noted that the Commission had factored in stakeholder concerns regarding onboarding delays, technical integration hurdles, limited infrastructure access, and commercial negotiation challenges.
The regulatory intervention, he said, aligns with global best practices and demonstrates the NCC’s commitment to fostering a transparent, fair, and predictable telecommunications environment.
Providing historical context, Maman revealed that the MVNO initiative commenced in 2017 following a market readiness assessment that confirmed Nigeria’s telecom sector had achieved the requisite maturity to support virtual operators.
This assessment culminated in the introduction of a five-tier licensing structure in 2023, designed to accommodate diverse business models and technical capabilities.
Licence Breakdown by Tier:
· Tier 1: 1 licence
· Tier 2: 11 licences
· Tier 3: 16 licences
· Tier 4: 7 licences
· Tier 5: 11 licences
Maman emphasised that while licensing had opened market entry opportunities, successful implementation would hinge on clearly defined operational guidelines governing industry interactions.
Stakeholder Response
Engr Kenneth Nwabueze, President of the Association of Mobile Virtual Network Operators, welcomed the development, urging robust enforcement and equitable revenue-sharing arrangements between MVNOs and host network operators.
He stressed that practical insights from operators would prove invaluable in shaping a more effective and sustainable regulatory framework for the sector.