The Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to step in and strengthen collaboration between Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).
ATCON President, Mr Tony Emoekpere, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that regulatory intervention was essential to ensure a smooth working relationship between both parties.
In Nigeria, major Mobile Network Operators such as MTN, Glo, and Airtel own and manage the infrastructure that powers mobile networks. Mobile Virtual Network Operators, on the other hand, lease this infrastructure to deliver their own branded services. MVNOs do not own network infrastructure but rely on that of MNOs to provide voice, SMS, and data services. This business model promotes competition and can drive down costs for consumers.
Emoekpere explained that the collaboration between MNOs and MVNOs was aimed at improving connectivity nationwide, including in underserved communities. He added that the model was expected to boost telecoms penetration in rural and hard-to-reach areas across Nigeria.
“The new class of MVNO licences issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is designed to bridge existing service gaps. The collaboration will allow MVNOs to reach areas where MNOs may not have the capacity or willingness to invest in infrastructure. The partnership aims to leverage existing MNO infrastructure to extend telecom services, with MVNOs providing a variety of services to a wider range of customers,” Emoekpere said.
He acknowledged, however, that there had been complaints regarding pricing and infrastructure sharing between both groups. “It’s a new class of licence that is issued. What will happen is that the regulator will need to step in to address any challenges between both parties because it’s a licence issued by the regulator, and the aim is to deepen penetration,” he said.
NAN reports that the NCC launched the MVNO licensing process in 2022, awarding the first batch of licences on 1 April 2023. Initially, 25 companies were licensed, followed by a second batch that brought the total to 43 MVNO licensees. The initiative is designed to enhance competition, close connectivity gaps in underserved regions, and drive innovation in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
Interesting read! ATCON pushing the NCC for better MVNO-MNO collaboration in Nigeria makes sense, especially to boost competition and service quality. Clear regulations could help smaller players thrive. Reminds me of how service insights, like those in Iptv Canada Reviews, highlight the value of transparent partnerships in telecom.
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