NCC should first compel FG to ease forex for us before any new KPI for QoS—Operators
Some operators in the nation’s telecoms sector have challenged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to first of all, prevail on the Federal Government to clearly remove telecoms equipment from the list of 41 restricted items before coming up with new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
The president of Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Engineer Olusola Teniola had during the group’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) two weeks ago disclosed that contrary to reports that IT equipment were part of the items considered by for removal from the list of forex access restriction, it was not so.
He said the IT items are still not given easy access to forex that is frustrating moves by companies to purchase equipments that will be used to up infrastructure and Quality of Service (QoS).
Another telecoms operator who pleaded anonymity told Business Hilights in Lagos on Wednesday during the launch of new awareness campaign by NCC that “We can only be telling ourselves the truth if we put the horse after the cart so that there can be a movement”.
“Yes QoS needs to be raised and maintained at all times, but it takes continuity of investments on networks. That is the magic. So when we are not getting the forex to buy equipments, will it be wise for the regulator to come up with new KPI standards. The answer is no.
Continuing, he said “the best bet in this regard, that is if NCC is serious in telling you that is to first of all meet with the Ministry of Finance and prevail on them to remove completely, mark my words; completely all telecoms imports from the list of 41 restricted items”.
“If this is done, then somebody can start to talk about recalibrating KPIs because for now, we cannot give what we don’t have or what we are not allowed to have.
Business Hilights recalls that Danbatta had made it clear that his agency wasn’t satisfied with the present QoS offered by the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and noted that the commission is considering a review of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set for the MNO on the need to improve quality of service on their networks.
“The commission will review the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set for the operators to meet, with a resolve that any of the MNOs that failed to meet up will be adequately sanctioned”.
Danbatta said in Lagos on Wednesday that “There are sanctions for failing to meet KPIs. NCC will not hesitate to enforce them and might consider making them even more stringent.
“NCC is mindful of the forex challenge faced by the telecoms. We have intervened with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Already this intervention is beginning to yield some results. We are sure that in the not too distant future, the forex challenge will be addressed to the benefit of both the consumer and the operators.
