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'Factors Behind Telecoms Services Downturn'(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) LACK of sufficient capacity; vandalisation of facilities; incessant closures of base stations and operational offices of service providers by some state governments and their agents have been identified as major contributors to the sharp decline in quality of telephone services in Nigeria. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which stressed that for improved telephone services, these challenges must be overcome, noted however, that there has been slight improvement in service quality. Speaking in Abuja, at the Prize Giving Ceremony of the Nationwide Essay Competition organised by the commission, the Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Eugene Juwah noted that telecoms operators are investing billions of dollars to improve quality of service. He pointed out that quality of service is improving even though the causes of the poor quality of service are still there. These challenges, according to him, include but not limited to "insufficient capacity, vandalization of telecoms facilities and the shutting down of base stations and operational offices of telecom operators by some state governments are responsible for the poor quality of service." Juwah, who informed that about 197,000 Nigerians have successfully ported across the various telecommunication networks since the launch of the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) regime in April 2013, observed that the MNP scheme has provided platform for Nigerians to make flexible choices, by migrating to networks that would provide them with the desired services. Indeed, in Lagos, the General Manager, Corporate Services, MTN Nigeria, Funmi Onajide, in a chat with The Guardian lamented what she described as insensitivity of some state governments to telecoms operators. Reacting to the closure of its office in Jos, Plateau State, she described it as "as another example of multiple taxation and abuse of court processes in an attempt to enforce disputed claims." Recalled that agents of the Plateau State Board of Internal Revenue Service on July 10, 2014 allegedly shut the MTN office in Jos over a disputed development levy of N15 million. According to her, this will lead to poor network quality and possible loss of network coverage for MTN subscribers in the affected areas, and loss of enterprise data service to third-party clients (mostly banks and other big corporate clients), which may impact on services such as ATMs, PoS, among others. Last week also, the Enugu State government had threatened to shut down what it described as 300 illegally developed cell site masts belonging to the major telecommunication network providers over security concerns. The state accused the operators of owing it over N700 million as accumulated approval fees and penalties. The State said affected telecommunication companies had violated relevant sections of the law by not securing necessary approvals before constructing the cell sites, and by so doing, disregarded the policies of the state. While seeking amicable resolution on these issues, the EVC noted that such cases are fast eroding service quality in the sector. On the MNP, Juwah said "one of the main reasons the commission introduced the MNP, was to democratize choice and the movement of subscribers across networks using the same number while stimulating healthy competition among the operators. It exerts pressure on operators to be more responsible in service provision to the subscribers. He explained that the Essay Competition, which has the topic, "The Effect of Mobile Number Portability on the Telecoms Service and Usage in Nigeria", serves as a barometer to gauge the productivity and commitment of Nigerian youths to thought provoking ideas. Juwah observed that about 399 entries were received from various higher institutions across the country. He reiterated the readiness of the commission to discharge its regulatory responsibilities with sincerity, firmness and fairness A representative of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission who witnessed the event said that the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability is a laudable initiative, which has engendered healthy competition between the telecom service providers adding that NCC is now regarded as a baseline for other sectors in the country. The Director Public Affairs of NCC, Tony Ojobo who announced the winners, said that after a thorough assessment of the essays, Dasaolu Olawale Johnson of the University of Lagos emerged the First Prize Winner of N500, 000.00, a Laptop and Printer, Kadri Zagarat Olamide of the University of Ibadan took the second prize of N300, 000.00 while Nicholas Ifeanyi Okpala of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta was the Third Prize Winner of N200, 000.00. Ojobor observed that in spite of numerous challanges facing the telecoms industry in the country, NCC remains the most efficient regulator in Nigeria. Copyright The Guardian. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |