While Nigerians continue to grapple with 7.5% VAT and the recently proposed 5% excise charge on telecoms services, the Federal Government has introduced registration fees on type approved telecommunication devices and short codeshare.
Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), announced this at a three-day consecutive Public Inquiry on some draft Telecom Regulations and Guidelines, where he stated that the review was necessary due to current industry realities.
“It is critical to emphasize at this point that all (5) five regulatory instruments are existing instruments that are being updated to reflect current reality.”
While the introduction of taxes on type approved devices and short codes was announced in a presentation by Nwanze Onyeye, Principal Manager, Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Department, during a presentation said,
“What the Commission is implementing that was not previously there is charging for type-approved telecom devices and previously free short codes.”
According to Danbatta, the regulatory instruments under review affect all sectors/segments of the telecoms business.
“The Type Approval Regulations, the first instrument, offer a framework for the approval of communications equipment for connection to communications networks in Nigeria, in accordance with sections 130 to 134 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.”
“The second instrument, Guidelines on Short Code Operation in Nigeria, is designed to establish a standard of practice for suppliers of short code services, as well as to offer a revised framework for the supply of these services and the prevention of misuse.”
“The third instrument, the Guidelines on Technical Specifications for the Deployment of Communications Infrastructure, establishes standards to be followed by communications service providers/operators, designers, fabricators, and installers of communications towers, as well as those laying fiber optic cables, in order to ensure environmental safety and sound engineering practices.”
“The fourth instrument is the Advertisements and Promotions Guidelines, which establishes minimum norms and standards for promotional advertisements by licensed telecommunications carriers in Nigeria.” Finally, the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations, among other things, define regulations for consumer protection and prescribe the procedures to be followed by a Licensee in preparing authorized consumer codes of practice, in accordance with Section 106 of the Act.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has maintained its preparedness to introduce a digital Postcode system in order to increase income generation and combat insecurity.
Mr Franklin Alao, Director of Corporate Communications at NIPOST, announced this recently in a press conference. He highlighted that plans for a digital postcode system in Nigeria are well underway, and that the agency will not rest until Nigerians benefit from the effort.
