NCC begins review of MVNO business rules, says 46 licences issued

By Daily Hibiscus News

Aminu Maida, the executive vice-chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), says the agency is reviewing the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) business rules to strengthen competition and expand access to telecommunications services.

Maida spoke on Thursday at a stakeholders’ forum on the MVNO business rules in Abuja.

The EVC, represented by Usman Mamman, the commission’s director of licensing and authorisation, said the review is intended to promote innovation, improve the regulatory framework for MVNOs and support a more competitive and inclusive telecoms industry.

He said the business rules were introduced to provide clarity on licensing requirements, operational responsibilities and the relationship between MVNOs and host mobile network operators (MNOs), while protecting consumers and preserving market integrity.

“The MVNO business rules are designed to provide clarity on licensing, operational responsibilities and relationships with host network operators while safeguarding consumer interests and market integrity,” Maida said.

“At the same time, we expect full compliance, and the commission will continue to exercise its mandate to ensure that all operators adhere strictly to established guidelines.”

Maida also said the MVNO framework followed years of engagement with industry stakeholders and was designed to accommodate different business models and varying technical capabilities.

He said the framework allows licensed operators to provide mobile communication services using the infrastructure of existing MNOs without owning radio spectrum or deploying nationwide radio access networks.

According to the EVC, the commission has so far issued 46 MVNO licences across the five operational tiers, comprising one tier 1 licence, 11 tier 2 licences, 16 tier 3 licences, seven tier 4 licences and 11 tier 5 licences.

Earlier, Chizua Whyte, head of legal and regulatory services at the NCC, said the draft business rules were developed to provide a clear operational framework for MVNOs.

She said the emergence of MVNOs presents opportunities to deepen competition, stimulate innovation, promote service differentiation, and expand consumer choice, adding that the stakeholder forum was convened to obtain industry input before the framework is finalised.

‘REGULATOR TO ADDRESS REVENUE SHARING CONCERNS’

Speaking on behalf of operators, Ken Nwabueze, president of the Association of Mobile Virtual Network Operators of Nigeria (AMVON), urged the NCC to address concerns around revenue-sharing arrangements and enforcement of the rules.

“As we define these rules, we plead with the commission to make enforcement a key component of the framework,” he said.

Also speaking, Chidi Ibisi, a member of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), identified delays in onboarding by host operators as one of the biggest challenges facing MVNOs.

He said the revised business rules should establish clear timelines and procedures to prevent unnecessary delays and ensure internal processes of host operators do not hinder the commencement of operations by licensed MVNOs.