NCC is Reviewing KPIs for 5G, TowerCos Providers

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is undertaking a review of its Regulatory Instruments and licensing framework to ensure that they are in line with the current realities.

Dr. Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman of the NCC, made the remark at the launch of Nigeria Digital Economy report by the GSMA, recently.

The EVC said the review of Quality of Service Regulations by the NCC will incorporate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the fifth-generation technology (5G) and include KPIs for the Colocation Service Providers (TowerCos).

NCC’s key performance indicators (KPIs) for the quality of service (QoS) of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks in Nigeria cover Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), Drop Call Rate (DCR), and Stand-alone Dedicated Channel (SDCCH).

Speaking further on “Regulatory Innovations to Empowering Nigeria’s Digital Future”, Aminu Maida said that the Commission has embarked upon a number of advocacy initiatives to address long-term challenges in the sector, such as;

“Advocacy for the designation of Communications Infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure to ensure their protection and resilience;

Right of Way (RoW)

“The Commission vide its advocacy has succeeded in persuading (6) six states to waive their Right of Way charges. Adamawa is the latest state to waive RoW. A significant number of states have also adopted the harmonized charge of N145 per linear meter.

Multiple taxation

“Advocacy is ongoing with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms towards addressing multiple taxation issues and streamlining the tax regime for the telecoms sector in Nigeria”, he said.

The chief telecoms regulator of Nigeria also said that NCC has made crucial regulatory innovation that is Data-Centric.

He said the Commission has developed a Data Collection Framework which guides the collection of data on issues such as Quality of Service, Consumer complaints among others.

“This data is providing the Commission with the requisite insights to make timely, optimal and informed regulatory decisions.

“Through analysis of performance data submitted by operators, the Commission has been able to narrow down on some of the issues affecting Quality of Service, and is addressing this with operators.

“With Data available, the Commission has also been able to establish that Tower Sites that use renewable energy solutions perform better than those using fossil energy sources.

“Through this Data centric approach NCC has been able to get insights from across the entire value chain to identify problem areas for optimal and timely interventions for improving the overall user experience.

“The Commission is undertaking a review of its Regulatory Instruments and licensing framework to ensure that they are in line with the current realities. E.g.: Review of Quality of Service Regulations to incorporate KPIs for 5G and include KPIs for the Colocation Service Providers (TowerCos)”, Aminu Maida said.