ICT Growth: Telecoms Operators Express Optimism Over FG Policy
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON),an umbrella Association for all telecommunications companies in Nigeria has expressed confidence in the eight-point agenda of telecom regulatory body, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) which is aimed at overall growth and development of the sector.
According to First Vice-President of ATCON, Olusola Teniola, effective implementation of the recently published agenda for the period of 2015-2020 would enhance the realisation of pervasive and ubiquitous broadband which the country had been longing for.
The agenda which was unveiled by the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta at an international press conference in Lagos include: facilitating of broadband penetration; improvement in quality of service; optimising usage and benefits of spectrum; promoting ICT innovation and investment opportunities; facilitating strategic collaboration and partnership; protecting and empowering consumers; promoting fair competition and inclusive growth, and ensuring regulatory excellence and operational efficiency.
Teniola also endorsed National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) commitment at ensuring compliance to local content guidelines by all Information Communication Technology (ICT) companies. According to him, the creation of office of Nigerian content under NITDA was a right step in the right direction.
The association’s First Vice-President also pleaded with the Ministry of Communications and NCC to go easy on the embattled telecommunication company, MTN over imposed fine, admitting that the association being a forward looking organisation had always been playing supportive roles to policy formulation and implementation which had done no little in shaping the ICT sector and would continue to play a major role in the development of Nigerian ICT sector.